Atherton Cricket Club
Policies

Code of Conduct for Members, Guests & Visitors

All members of Atherton Cricket Club, and guests of those members, are bound by the following Code of Conduct. These also apply to visitors who watch, attend, participate, and officiate matches in whatever capacity at the Club.

• You must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of cricket.
• You must treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief.
• You must not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed.
• You must always display high standards of behaviour.
• You must promote the positive aspects of cricket and fair play.
• You must encourage all participants to learn the Laws of Cricket and play within them, always respecting the decisions of match officials.
• You must actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and disrespect of match officials.
• You must recognise good performance not just match results.
• You must place the well-being and safety of children above the development of performance.
• You must ensure that activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience, and ability of the individual.
• You must respect children’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in cricket.
• You must not smoke, drink alcohol, or use banned substances while working with children in the club.
• You must not provide children with alcohol when they are under the care of the club.
• You must follow ECB guidelines set out in the ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ and any other relevant guidelines issued.
• You must report any concerns in relation to a child, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB.
• You must not imbibe illegal substances or be under their influence whilst on Club property or whilst representing the Club.
• You must not issue, post, or otherwise publish any material or information which is detrimental to the club on any social media communication, paper-based publication, or public radio transmission.Any breach or failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action in line with the club’s Complaints Process.

Code of Conduct for Junior Members (Under 18s)

Atherton Cricket Club is fully committed to:

• safeguarding and protecting the wellbeing of all its members and players.
• showing respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

All Junior Members of Atherton Cricket Club, defined as those under the age of 18 years, are bound by the following Code of Conduct.

• All members’ behaviour whilst participating in any cricketing (including training) or other activities at ACC or when representing ACC to be of the highest possible standard.
• All members must play within the spirit and rules of the game and respect officials and their decisions. Including those made by ACC officials.
• All members must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Members should keep to agreed timings for training and competitions or inform their coach or team manager if they are going to be late.
• Members must pay any fees associated with Club membership, training or other events promptly.
• Junior members are not allowed to smoke on club premises or whilst representing the club at competitions.
• Juniors are not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs (with the exception of medication) of any kind on club premises or whilst representing the Club.
• Members must not issue, post or otherwise publish any material or information appertaining to Club business on any social media communication, paper-based publication or public radio transmission without consultation with and permission of the Club Secretary.

Any breach or failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action in line with the club’s Complaints Process.

Junior members and their parents are encouraged to talk to their coaches or the Safeguarding Officer, Anna Taylor, if they have any concerns.

Inclusivity & Diversity Policy

The Club in all its activities is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity in cricket, and to ensuring that its employees, members, and all other individuals working or volunteering for Atherton Cricket Club and participating in or watching the Club’s activities are treated fairly and are able to conduct their activities free from discrimination, harassment or intimidation.

• The Club in all its activities will not discriminate, or in any way treat anyone less favourably on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religion or belief or sexual orientation.
• The Club will not tolerate harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of individuals.
• The Club will endeavour to create access and opportunities for all those individuals who wish and are lawfully eligible to participate in its activities.
• The Club will ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that its employees, members and volunteers adhere to these requirements and this policy.

This policy is fully supported by the Management Committee who are responsible for its implementation. In such instances where a member’s actions go against this policy, this may result in disciplinary action in line with the club’s Complaints Process.

Complaints Process

To reiterate, the Club, in all its activities, is fully committed to the principles of equality of opportunity in cricket, and to ensuring that its employees, members and all other individuals working or volunteering for Atherton CC, and participating in or watching Atherton CC’s activities are treated fairly and are able to conduct their activities free from discrimination, harassment or intimidation.

This policy is fully supported by the Club’s officers and Management Committee who are responsible for the implementation of this policy. Atherton CC is committed to the investigation of any claims when brought to its attention, of discrimination, harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation of an individual, and reserves the right to impose such sanction as it considers appropriate and proportionate, where such is found to be the case. This will include ‘on the field’ incidents and complaints from or abuse of Umpires and Captains.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

There may be instances where it may be preferable to resolve grievances from incidents outlined above on an informal basis without entering into formal disciplinary procedures. If this is the case please contact the Club Captain to discuss. This is not mandatory and does not preclude the submission of a formal complaint if the matter cannot be resolved by the informal process.

In the event that any employee, member, volunteer, participant or spectator feels that he has suffered discrimination, harassment, bullying, abuse or victimisation, and does not wish to have the matter dealt with informally then they should report the matter in writing to the Secretary of Atherton CC. Any such report should include:

• details of what occurred;
• when and where the occurrence took place;
• any witness details and copies of any witness statements*.

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.*

Such statements can be submitted by electronic means but MUST originate from the complainant or witness and not via a third party.

If the accused individual is an employee, the Management Committee will regard the issue as a disciplinary issue and will follow Atherton CC’s Employment Disciplinary Procedures and Atherton CC’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy.

SANCTIONS & APPEALS

If the accused individual is a non-employee, the Disciplinary Committee:

May decide (at its sole discretion) to uphold or dismiss the complaint without holding a hearing.

• May (at its sole discretion) hold hearings at which both parties will be entitled to attend and present their case.
• Will have power to impose any or more of the following sanctions (on an immediate or suspended basis) on any person found to be in breach of policy:
  1. a)  Warn as to future conduct
  2. b)  Suspend from membership for a given period
  3. c)  Remove from membership
  4. d)  Exclude a non-member from the facility, either temporarily or permanently
  5. e)  Turn down a non-members current and/or future membership application
• The Disciplinary Committee will provide both parties with either a written or verbal reason for its decision at the Disciplinary Committee discretion.
• A party may appeal a decision of the Disciplinary Committee against either the finding or sanction imposed or both following disciplinary action being taken. The appeal should be made to the General Committee via the Club Secretary who shall appoint an Appeals Committee (a minimum of 3) 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 30 days of the 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. The appeal can be submitted to the Secretary by electronic means or by writing.
• Should a member wish to be accompanied by a friend or other representative or to call witnesses, the member shall advise the Secretary of the name of such persons 7 days before the date of the meeting. The member should also advise the Secretary if such other representative is acting in a Professional capacity e.g. a Solicitor.
• If the nature of the complaint is with regard to the Management Committee of Atherton CC (as a group) the complainant may report the complaint directly to the relevant County Cricket Board.

This policy will be reviewed periodically by Atherton CC General Committee consistent with guidelines issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board Limited.

Safeguarding Statement

Atherton Cricket Club is committed to:

• Recognising all children participating in cricket (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have the right to have fun and be protected from harm in a safe environment.
• Ensuring individuals working within cricket at, or for, our club provide a welcoming, safe, and fun experience for children.
• Adopting and implementing the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any future versions of this.
• Appointing a Club Safeguarding Officer and ensuring they attend all current and future training modules required by the ECB.
• Ensuring all people who work in cricket at, or for, our club (such as staff, officials, volunteers, team managers, coaches and so on) have a responsibility for safeguarding children, and understand how the ECB’s “Safe Hands Policy” applies to them.
• Ensuring all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB guidelines and relevant legislation.
• Ensuring all individuals working within cricket at, or for, the club are provided with support, through education and training, so they are aware of, and can adhere to, good practice and Code of Conduct guidelines defined by the ECB, and the club.
• Ensuring the name and contact details of the Club Safeguarding Officer is available:
  • As a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee andmembers.
  • As the main point of contact within the club for the ECB County Safeguarding Officer and the ECB Safeguarding Team, and as the main point of contact within the club for relevant external agencies in connection with child safeguarding.
• Ensuring correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing child safeguarding concerns.
• Providing an environment where the views of children, parents and volunteers are sought and welcomed on a range of issues. This will help us create an environment where people can voice any concerns (about possible suspected child abuse/neglect, and/or about poor practice) to the Club Safeguarding Officer. Details of the County Safeguarding Officer will be made available, in case the Club Safeguarding Officer is unavailable, or the concern relates to the Club Safeguarding officer.
• Ensuring all suspicions, concerns and allegations are taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
• Ensuring access to confidential information relating to child safeguarding matters is restricted to those who need to know in order to safeguard children – including the Club Welfare Officer and the appropriate external authorities, such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), as specified within ECB child safeguarding procedures.

Changing Room Policy

In line with its responsibility for the welfare of all children in its care, Atherton Cricket Club will ensure that no young person will be asked to shower or change in front of others and that the following ECB guidelines for changing rooms will apply:

• Juniors should be given the chance to change first and shower in privacy if they desire and when they have finished and left the room senior players may then enter the rooms. In this case adults must not change or shower at the same time as juniors when sharing a facility.
• Captains and parents should communicate in advance so the juniors wishes in this respect are clear and adult players in the team are aware.
• Please note that if children are uncomfortable changing or showering with adults at the Club, no pressure should be placed on them to do so. Encourage them to do this at home.
• The use of any form of picture recording equipment including phones is strictly prohibited in the changing room areas.
• Adults should try to change at separate times to children during matches i.e. when padding up.
• If adults and children are to share a changing facility, Atherton Cricket Club must have consent from the parents that their child(ren) can share a changing room with adults in the club.
• If children play for adult teams, they and their parents must be informed of the Club’s policy on changing arrangements.
• Mixed gender teams must have access to separate male and female changing rooms.