ON-FIELD CODE OF CONDUCT

Traditionally, cricket has been the one sport to maintain and exhibit the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. While always a most competitive game, the continued strength of the sport has relied upon the acceptance of the Umpire’s decision, and the preparedness to play within the “spirit of the game”.

It is the responsibility of everyone involved with VBCA cricket - Club Officials, Team Captains, and especially the Players, to keep to the levels of conduct and sportsmanship traditionally inherent in the Game.

The areas of major concern, and thus, which are unacceptable, to the VBCA are:

a) The use of offensive language - generally as a disparaging remark to an opposing player or toward an Umpire, or even as an expression of frustration or self-admonishment. This includes racial vilification (any act that is reasonably likely to threaten, disparage, vilify, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group based on race, religion, descent, colour or national or ethnic origin).

b) The questioning or disputing of the Umpire’s decision in an aggressive or sarcastic manner. This applies equally to dismissals and unsuccessful appeals as it does to the judgment of calls on no-balls, wides, etc.

c) Excessive and/or aggressive appeals - primarily aimed at pressuring and/or intimidating the Umpire into a favourable decision.

d) Inappropriate actions of the dismissed batsman in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out, and any equipment abuse (eg. banging the bat into the ground or against the fence etc. and/or throwing the bat or equipment during or after his return to the pavilion).

e) Engaging in any form of violence involving another person - involvement in, or provocation of, any form of violence, fighting with or physically abusing any other person.

The VBCA has two processes for the reporting and consideration of unsatisfactory behaviour -

1. Serious breaches of behaviour will see the player immediately reported by the Umpire(s) controlling the match.

2. For less serious breaches where an Umpire has occasion to speak to a player regarding his behaviour, but does not believe a report is necessary, the incident will be noted on the Umpire’s Match Report. Should a player be noted on three such Reports during the season, he may be called to appear before the VBCA Tribunal to explain his behaviour.

In both instances, should a player be found guilty of an act of misconduct, he/she shall be liable for a suspension, or other penalty as determined by the tribunal.

All players should be well aware of the standards expected by the VBCA. Consequently any player found guilty by the VBCA Tribunal can expect a period of suspension or other appropriate penalty.

OFF-FIELD CODE OF CONDUCT

This section covers behaviour for players, non-registered players and spectators off the field - including any function organised by the VBCA.

Major areas of concern:

1. Persons causing a disturbance with the use of offensive or abusive language to those around them to the extent of upsetting or offending.

2. Persons causing a disturbance whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and/or any violence caused by same.

3. Physical fighting, pushing and shoving.

4. Damage to premises or property.

5. Sexual harassment: any report of sexual harassment will be dealt with by the Executive.

6. Other offensive behaviour.

REPORTING PROCEDURES

1. The Tribunal.

The Executive, at the start of each season, will appoint a five-person tribunal; including a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and three Officers; at least three of whom, including the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall have authority to act. The appointed Tribunal shall consist of no current Executive member, current player or current on-field official.

(a) For a Tribunal meeting to be held, a quorum of three must be present, including either the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

(b) The tribunal has the authority to hear reports and to adjudicate on the said report.

(c) If the tribunal is unable to reach a majority decision on the said report, the Tribunal Chairperson has the authority to make a ruling.

(d) In the event of the Tribunal not being able to meet in the allotted time, the Executive may hear the report.

2. Procedure of Reporting (Off-field)

(a) Any person or persons have the right to report any person or persons who they believe have acted in a manner which is detrimental to the Association.

(b) If a reportable offence occurs during the cricket season, the person or persons making the report shall within 48 hours of the event, verbally notify a member of the Executive, who in turn shall notify the tribunal committee, to make them aware of the pending report.

(c) The reporting party, after verbally making the report shall submit a written report signed by the reporting person and a witness where possible. The written report must by in the hands of the Executive within 5 days of the alleged incident. The person or persons reported shall be notified by the Executive of the said report in writing within 5 days of receiving the written report. The Executive shall give a copy of the written report to the tribunal.

(d) Where possible, a report made during the cricket season shall be heard within 24 hours of the said report.

3. Procedure of Reporting (On-field)

(a) On field reports can only be lodged by an Umpire as per VBCA Competition by-laws, clause 5(a).

(b) The Umpire shall notify the Captain of the reported party’s team of his/her intention to lodge a report.

(c) The written report shall be handed to the Cricket Administrator on the day of the breach. If the Cricket Administrator is unavailable, the report should be handed to a member of the Executive.

(d) The person or persons reported shall be notified by the Executive of the said report in writing within 5 days of receiving the written report. The Executive shall give a copy of the written report to the tribunal.

(e) Where possible, a report made during the cricket season shall be heard within 24 hours of the said report.

4. Hearing the report

(a) The Executive shall invite the reported person or persons along with the person or persons lodging the report to the tribunal hearing.

(b) Both parties shall be entitled to call upon an advocate to attend the hearing. The advocate may not appear for reward or remuneration nor shall the advocate be a person legally qualified.

(c) Both parties may make use of a witness at the said hearing.

(d) Once the decision has been reached, both the reported and reporting persons shall be notified immediately of the said decision. The tribunal shall also notify both parties and the VBCA Secretary of the decision in writing.

5. Off Season Reports.

In the event of a report being made ‘off season’ the same hearing procedures shall be followed, however there may by time differences in the reporting procedure.

(a) The written report must be in the hands of the Executive within 7 days of the alleged incident.

(b) The person or persons reported shall be notified by the Executive of the said report in writing within 7 days of receiving the written report.

(c) All other matters regarding the report shall be the same as with the clauses above.

6. Appealing procedures

(a) In the event of an appeal, the appeal must be lodged with the Executive within 5 days of the reported person or persons being notified of the decision.

(b) Once the Executive has received the appeal, the Executive shall notify immediately, both the reporting party and the tribunal committee.

(c) The appeal shall be heard within 7 days of receiving the said appeal.

(d) Appeals may only be made in writing.

(e) The appeal shall be heard by the Executive

(f) The Executive may request a tribunal member to speak at the appeal.

(g) The decision by the Executive on the appeal shall be final. No member or Club shall seek to refer a decision of the Executive to any Court or judicial Tribunal for review. Any member or Club seeking to invoke such judicial review shall be liable to immediate and indefinite suspension from all matches and other activities of the Association.

Notes:

(a) Misbehaviour and misdemeanours are anything that is detrimental to the Association and its members. Anyone found guilty of the above can be fined, suspended or both as specified in the ‘Penalties for Breaches of code of conduct’ document.

(b) If a tribunal committee member is unable to continue in active service, the Executive shall appoint a replacement.

PENALTIES FOR BREACHES OF CODE OF CONDUCT

These penalties apply for persons found guilty by the VBCA Tribunal:

a) The use of offensive language:

(i) Remarks of a disparaging nature to a fellow player will incur a penalty of $50.00 fine for a first offence. Further offences will incur a penalty of $100.00 thereafter for each offence.

(ii) Remarks to an Umpire of a disparaging nature will incur a penalty of a One-Match suspension for the first offence. Further offences will incur a Two-Match suspension at the Tribunal’s discretion.

b) The questioning/disputing of the Umpire’s decision:
This breach will incur a One-Match suspension for a first offence. Further breaches will incur a Two-Match suspension, or subject to the Tribunal’s discretion.

c) The actions of the dismissed batsman:
The penalty imposed will be decided by the Tribunal after all accounts of the incident have been heard and discussed.

(i) A fine will be imposed on any batsman who fails to leave the crease promptly after being given out.

(ii) Equipment abuse - any display of poor sportsmanship by equipment abuse will not be tolerated. The minimum penalty shall be a One-Match suspension.

d) Engaging in violence involving another person:
A penalty to be imposed by the Tribunal after a full hearing of the incident.

e) The excessive number of aggressive and/or excessive appeals:

(i) The first offence will incur a warning from the Tribunal.

(ii) Further offences (in different games) will incur a team penalty of $100.00 for each report, regardless of whether the breach involves one player of the whole team.

Note: Team warnings are valid for one season only.

Note: The penalties listed in this document are to act as a guide only.
The Tribunal may impose a greater penalty at its discretion.