Rules of Indian Gymkhana Club - Cricket Section

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To provide facilities to foster and promote participation in the sport of cricket at all levels within the community and within the sport, providing opportunities for recreation, coaching and competition.

To ensure that all members, playing and non-playing, abide by the ECB Code of Conduct which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket and by the Laws of Cricket.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club by adopting and implementing the ECB ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ and any future versions of the Policy.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club by adopting and implementing the ECB Club Inclusion & Diversity Policy and any future versions of the Policy.

To encourage all members to participate fully in the activities of the Club.

MANAGEMENT

• The Chairman

• The Honorary Secretary

• The Honorary Treasurer

• The Honorary Club Captain

• The Junior Secretary Cricket

• The Club Safeguarding Officer

• The Fixture Secretary

MEMBERSHIP

Playing Members are such members as pay the Playing Member’s subscription in full.  Student Members shall be entitled to the same privileges as Full Playing Members of the Club, but their subscriptions shall be determined by the Committee.

Junior Member shall be entitled to the same privileges as Full Playing Members of the Club apart from voting rights in the club agm.

Any Member wishing to leave the Club must forward his resignation to the Honorary Secretary in writing before 1st May, otherwise his subscription for the ensuing season will be considered due from him.

Any Member not complying with the Rules of the Club, or otherwise mis-conducting himself, shall cease to be a Member of the Club on receiving notice to that effect from the Committee.

The Club may refuse membership or expel from membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against such a decision may be made to the Club’s Appeals Committee and decided by a majority vote.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Yearly subscription shall be such an amount as shall be determined from time to time in General Meeting.  The Committee shall have power to admit to Membership of the Club upon special conditions and terms of subscription.

A Match Donation may be requested in addition to the annual subscription at the discretion of the Committee.

The subscriptions of existing Members shall become due on 1st May in each year and those of new Members at the date of their election.  If any Playing Member’s subscription be not paid by 1st June in any year the Honorary Membership Secretary shall send notice that such subscription shall be paid before 1st July, and, if not paid by the last mentioned date, the Member shall cease to make use of the privileges of the Club until his subscription has been paid.  If any Member’s subscription be not paid by the 30th September he shall cease to be a Member of the Club and shall not be eligible for re-election until all arrears have been paid.

GROUND AND PAVILION

The use of the Pavilion is strictly confined to Members of the Club and visiting teams.  Friends of Members may be admitted to the Pavilion, provided that they are accompanied by the Member.

The Ground shall be open for practice as arranged by the Committee.

Nets are to be used by the members only with permission from the coaching staff.

DISCIPLINE

All complaints regarding the behaviour of Members should be lodged in writing with the Honorary Secretary.

In situations where a Member's conduct is considered unsatisfactory, the Club's objective is to implement a disciplinary procedure that identifies and corrects the cause of unsatisfactory behaviour in a constructive manner, encouraging improvement in the Member's conduct by ensuring that the Member clearly understands his responsibilities and the cause for dissatisfaction with his conduct or performance.

The Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary sub-committee who will meet to hear complaints within 14 days of a complaint being lodged.  Any Member requested to attend a Disciplinary sub-committee shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses.  The Committee (or its sub-committee) has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action, including the termination of membership.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing shall be put in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the Member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days following the hearing.

There shall be a right of appeal to the Committee within 7 days against either the finding or the sanction imposed, or both, following disciplinary action being taken.  Should an appeal be received then the Committee shall appoint an Appeals Committee (a maximum of three) which shall not include members involved with the initial disciplinary hearing but may include non-members of the Club.  The Appeals Committee shall consider the appeal within 14 days of the Honorary Secretary receiving the appeal. The individual submitting the appeal shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses.  The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

Junior Players’ Code of Conduct

Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members. The Club believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the Club should, at all times, show respect, be encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the Club. A Junior Member is an individual under the age of eighteen and a member of the Club. A Parent is a Parent of a Junior Member.

As a Junior Member or a Parent you are expected to abide by the following Junior Club Code of Conduct as it applies appropriately to Junior Members and/or Parents of Junior Members. Parents are expected to set good a good example as regards their own behaviour (and those accompanying them) for the benefit of Junior Members.

The Code:

This code of conduct applies to all matches played when representing the Club. It also applies to all training and practice sessions organised by the Club.

All Junior Members are expected to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board code of conduct (see below) and that, by taking part in activities organised by the Club, you agree to comply with all reasonable instructions from team managers and/or captains and/or coaches;

To comply with all other reasonable instructions from other members and officers of the Club including, but not limited to, any directives and instructions which may be displayed from time to time on Club premises;

• Junior Members and Parents agree to respect, cooperate with and encourage their fellow Junior Members at all times, irrespective of their abilities. 

• Persecution, humiliation or ridiculing of others will not be tolerated

• Junior Members, under no circumstances, must make contact with a coach directly by email, text or call.

• Behaviour and dress both on and off the field should be in keeping with the dignity and best traditions of the game of cricket.

• Foul, abusive and inappropriate language on or off the field of play is unacceptable.

• Intimidation, aggressive behaviour and deliberate distraction of opponents by words or actions are unacceptable.

• Dissent at umpiring decisions is unacceptable.

• The game should be played competitively, but the highest standards of sportsmanship must at all times be maintained. Recognise the achievements of both your team-mates and your opponents. Do not glory in their failures.

• Remember that your conduct is a reflection not only on yourself but also on the Club as a whole. Conduct which damages the reputation of the Club will not be tolerated.

• Junior Members and their Parents should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.

• Junior Members must wear suitable kit – (this must include a helmet, box, gloves and pads when a hard ball is being used) for training and match sessions, as agreed with the coach/team manager.

• Junior Members are not allowed to consume or purchase alcohol or drugs of any kind on the Club premises or whilst representing the Club.

• Junior Members are not allowed to smoke or vape on Club premises or whilst representing the Club.

• Junior Members agree to do their best at all times to improve their cricket skills and maximise their own potential, at whatever level of playing ability that may be.  Any conduct by a Junior Member or Parent that prevents a Junior Member from doing the same is unacceptable.

Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken in accordance with the Club’s disciplinary procedures.

England and Wales Cricket Board’s Code of Conduct
(Note: In junior cricket, team captains can be deputised by team managers)

The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct.  The Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket as set out below.  It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.

Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.

Players and Team Officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision.  Players must not show dissent at the Umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards an Umpire at any time.

Players and Team Officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an Umpire, another player or a Spectator.

Players and Team Officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

Players and Team Officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters.  Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.

Players and Team Officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.

Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and Umpires.

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game.  Any action, which is seen to abuse this spirit, causes injury to the game itself.  The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the Captains. 

Responsibility of Captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Players’ Conduct

In the event that any player failing to comply with the instructions of the Umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the Umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other Umpire and to the player’s Captain requesting the latter to take action.

Fair and Unfair Play

According to the Laws, the Umpires are the sole judges of Fair and Unfair play.  The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the Captain to take action when required.  The umpires are authorised to intervene in the cases of: tIme wasting, damaging the pitch, tampering with the ball, or any action that they consider to be unfair.

Spirit of the Game

The Spirit of the Game involves respect for your opponents, your own captain and team, the role of the umpires and the game’s traditional values.  It is against the Spirit of the Game to – (a) dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture; (b) direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire; (c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side. 

Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

Players

Captains and Umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match and every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS, CARERS AND GUESTS

All Parents / Carers and Guests will:

▪ Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket.

▪ Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.

▪ Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed.

▪ Display high standards of behaviour at all times.

▪ Promote the positive aspects of cricket, e.g. Spirt of Cricket & fair play.

▪ Encourage all participants to learn the rules, play within them and respect the decisions of match officials.

▪ Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials.

▪ Recognise good performance; not just match results.

▪ Encourage player development through implicit learning, embracing the role that failure can play in a players self-awareness, skill acquisition and decision making

▪ Place the wellbeing and safety of young people above the development of performance.

▪ Ensure the activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.

▪ Respect young people’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket.

▪ Sit away from the players when requested by coaching staff during matches.

▪ Not smoke, drink, vape or use banned substances whilst actively working with young people

▪ Not to smoke in the vicinity of players, drink excessive alcohol or use banned substances whilst supporting.

▪ Not provide young people with alcohol, nicotine or banned substances when they are engaged in Middlesex Cricket activities.

▪ Follow ECB guidelines set out in “Safe Hands – Cricket’s policy for Safeguarding Children” and any other relevant guidelines issued.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES, MANAGERS and VOLUNTEERS

All Cricket Club personnel will:

▪ Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket.

▪ Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.

▪ Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed.

▪ Display high standards of behaviour at all time.

▪ Promote the positive aspects of cricket, e.g. Spirit of Cricket & fair play

▪ Encourage all participants to learn the rules, play within them and respect the decisions of match officials.

▪ Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials.

▪ Recognise good performance and effort; not just match results.

▪ Place the wellbeing and safety of young people above the development of performance.

▪ Ensure the activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.

▪ Respect young people’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket.

▪ Not smoke, drink, vape or use banned substances whilst actively working with young people in the club.

▪ Not provide young people with alcohol, nicotine, vapes or banned substances.

▪ Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance as stated in the IGCC and ECB Clubmark Accreditation

▪ Always work in an open environment, i.e. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment.

▪ Inform players and parents/carers of the requirements of cricket.

▪ Develop an appropriate working relationship with young players, based on mutual trust and respect.

▪ Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the young player’s full consent and approval.

▪ Not engage in any form of sexually related contact, gestures or terms with a young player. IGCC adopts the Home Office guidelines which recommends the principle – “People in positions of trust and authority do not have sexual relationships with 16-17 year olds in their care”.

▪ Attend appropriate training & maintain accreditation to keep up to date with their role and especially with respect to the safeguarding of young people.

▪ Staff, coaches & volunteers cannot direct message anyone under 18 years old via email, text or social media platforms. Messages should be directed to the parents AND the young person or via open forums with appropriate language & content.

▪ Cricket coaches, managers & volunteers should not link with players U18 years of age involved in IGCC Cricket via social network platforms, online media or gaming.

▪ Know, understand & follow the ECB guidelines set out in “Safe Hands – Cricket’s policy for Safeguarding Children” and any other Middlesex guidelines issued in relation to safeguarding.

EQUITY POLICY STATEMENT

Cricket Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equality is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it become equally accessible to everyone in society.

The Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/economic status.

The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All Club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

Photography & Filming

Cricket Club promotes the appropriate use of photography and filming of children participating in cricket, however, it’s important to be aware of the potential child protection and safeguarding issues that arise when people take photos or film children in relation to sporting activities. The potential for misuse of images can be reduced if we are all aware of the potential risks and dangers and put appropriate measures in place to reduce these risks.

Potential Risks:

• children may be identifiable when a photograph is shared with personal information

• direct and indirect risks to children and young people when photographs are shared on websites and in publications with personal information that may identify and locate the child

• inappropriate photographs or recorded images of children

• inappropriate use, adaptation or copying of images

The following guiding principles from the ECB Photography and Video Camera Guidelines will be implemented by IGCC

1. Photographs/images are not to be taken at matches or training without the prior permission of the parents/carers of the child. This permission can be given by proxy by the coach of each team only after parental consent for this has been granted. The coach will arrange this prior to attending matches.

2. If no consent has been given for a child on the player registration & consent form, then it is to be made known to the relevant person of the other team (e.g. Coach / Team manager) so that the appropriate person/s taking photos for the other team is aware and can avoid taking photos of that particular child.

3. The children should be informed that a person will be taking photographs.

4. The children should be informed that if they have concerns they can report these to the Coach or Team Manager.

5. Concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography should be reported to the IGCC Child Safeguarding Officer and recorded in the same manner as any other child protection concern.

6. It is recommended that at cricket tournaments/festivals/events/competitions that a camera registration book is set up for adults to complete before taking photographs. 

The following guiding principles will be adopted for the publishing of images:

1. Ask for parental permission to use their child’s image and wherever possible show the image to the parents and child in advance. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image will be used to represent cricket and Middlesex.

2. Ask for the child’s permission to use their image. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image will be used to represent cricket and IGCC.

3. If the player is named, avoid using their photograph. In cases where the player, parent / carers wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.

4. If the photograph is used, avoid naming the child. In cases where the player, parent / carers wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.

5. Don’t use player profiles with pictures and detailed personal information on websites. In cases where the player, parent / carers wish for the players name and photograph to be used, direct written consent will be required for each publication.

6. Don’t use an image for something other than that what it was initially intended and agreed.

7. Don’t allow images to be recorded in changing rooms, showers or toilets. This includes the use of mobile phones that record images.

8. Focus on the activity rather than the individual.

9. Only use images of children in appropriate kit (training or competition) to reduce the risk of inappropriate use, and to provide positive images of the children.

10. Aim to take pictures which represent the broad range of youngsters participating safely in cricket e.g. boys and girls, disabled people, ethnic minority communities.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can train, and play, in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our club.

If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell, and know incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone who can do something about it.

What is bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can take many forms some of which we’ve listed below:

• Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (for example: hiding kit, or making threatening gestures)

• Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

• Racist: racial taunts, graffiti and/or gestures

• Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

• Homophobic: because of, or focusing on, the issue of sexuality

• Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing

• Cyber: Bullying behaviour online or via electronic communication (email and text, social media etc) Misuse of associated technology, such as camera and video facilities

Why is it important to respond to bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one should be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Children and/or adults who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

Cricket clubs have a responsibility to respond promptly, and effectively, to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this policy

• All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff, children and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is

• All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported

• All children and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises

• As a club, we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported

• Bullying will not be tolerated

Signs and symptoms

A child may indicate, by signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of signs and investigate if a child:

• Says they are being bullied

• Changes their usual routine

• Is unwilling to go to the club

• Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence

• Comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged

• Has possessions which are damaged or go missing

• Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)

• Unexplained cuts or bruises

• Is frightened to say what’s wrong

• Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

In more extreme cases, the child:

• Starts stammering

• Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

• Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

• Is bullying other children or siblings

• Stops eating

• Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying could be a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures

• Report bullying incidents in the first instance to the team manager, coach, colts manager or another adult you can trust. The incident should also be reported to the Club Safeguarding Officer, Lara Van Gelder

• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team for advice via the County Safeguarding Officer

• Parents should be informed and will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss the problem

• It is important that confidentiality is maintained at all times and all communications between children, parents, coaches and other adults at the club must adhere to this principle.

• If necessary, and appropriate, police will be consulted

• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly

• An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed and will advise on action to be taken.

Recommended Club Action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure outlined below:

Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.

If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from Junior Chairman, Club Safeguarding Officer, Director of Youth Cricket, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.

The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.

If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.

In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate.

The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.

All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.

Prevention

The club will have a written code of conduct, which includes what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.

All club members and parents will sign to accept the code of conduct upon joining the club.