The following General Rules and Code of Conduct apply to all Christchurch Junior Cricket Association Grades, Players, Coaches and Parents.

Grade Objectives

Each grade is to provide players with a fun, fair and learning game, with a connection to International cricket as close as the age group, player abilities and time allow.

MCC Laws of Cricket

These laws apply unless otherwise stated. In all cases, the stated rules are to be applied. Coaches seeking rule changes should provide their suggestions to the CJCA rather than litigate rule differences each week with their new opposition.

Players

All players participating must be eligible or have written CJCA dispensation viewable to the opposition coach prior to play. Such a dispensation letter will be on CJCA letterhead and be signed by either the Grade Manager, the General Manager, or the President of the CJCA (note that while there are Girls Only grades, girls can play in any grade).

Dress

Players are to dress in whites, or in Club / School colours as approved by the CJCA. Club / School colours will be approved only where such colours will not obscure the ball in the colour of the bowler’s clothing. Sun protective hats are desirable.

Gear

Each team is required to provide 3 stumps, 2 bails and a ball. This includes stumps suitable for artificial pitches if required or applicable.

Defaults

Teams with reduced numbers should still seek to play using opponent players to assist in the field. If this is not possible and a team has to default, please advise Mike Fisher on [email protected] as soon as possible, preferably at least one week in advance (especially for long weekends).

In heavy dew conditions

Prior to the toss, teams should consider having each team bat 10 overs each and then be resuming respective innings in order that similar conditions exist for each team. Fast turnarounds are needed where this occurs.

School years

For each grade (except Year 8 players) this means a player remains eligible for the whole season in that grade if eligible for that grade in October.

Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct applies to all players, umpires, managers, coaches, parents and spectators of teams playing in CJCA controlled or administered games.

The above-linked documents should be copied and kept by each team. They provide the full detail of how we expect those that participate in the CJCA competition to behave but a summary is below.

General

All players, umpires, managers, coaches, parents and spectators should play cricket with the following ideas in mind:

• Respect the rules
• Respect the officials and accept their decisions
• Respect the opponent
• Have a concern for equal opportunity
• Be gracious winners and dignified losers

This means that you should:

As players

• Co-operate with others and treat them with respect
• Have fun, develop your own skills while accepting your limits
• Know the rules and don’t cheat
• Accept the Umpires decision without dissent, even if you do not think they are right
• Don’t use coarse language

As Umpires

• Co-operate with others (players and the other umpire) and treat them with respect
• Know the rules and do not cheat
• Accept the other Umpires decision without dissent, even if you do not think they are right. (The square leg umpires decisions will be limited to run outs and height no balls.
• Don’t use coarse language

As Coaches and Managers

• Set a positive example
• Teach the values of sportsmanship to your team
• Never argue with officials in front of players or spectators
• Discourage a win at all costs attitude
• Encourage all players to participate
• Try to minimise the time on the pitch, unless umpiring

Parents/Guardians Code of Behaviour

• Remember that children are involved in organised sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
• Focus on the childs efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event.
• Encourage children to always participate according to the rules. They should understand that playing by the rules is their responsibility.
• Be positive in your comments. Never ridicule and avoid criticism of your child for losing a game or making a mistake
• Remember that all children learn best from example. Applaud all good plays for either team.
• Teach children that an honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting events.
• Never use Bad or Abusive Language towards any child, parent or official. Realise that improper comments can lead to violence or abuse on the field.
• Respect officials decisions and teach children to do the same.
• If you disagree with an official, use the correct protocol to address the matter. Approach the official in a break or at the end of the game. Do not question an officials honesty.
• Recognise and value volunteer coaches, officials and administrators. They give of their time and resources to provide recreational activities for the children and deserve your support. Without them, your child could not participate.
• Do not force an unwilling, sick or injured child to compete in the game.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every player regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
• Never consume or distribute alcohol whilst present at a game of cricket under the control of CJCA.

A breach of this Code of Conduct may be dealt with by the CJCA disciplinary committee, or be referred to the Canterbury Cricket Association Judiciary. The Judiciary has the power to impose penalties against the parent/guardian and also the offenders child.

Spirit of Cricket: Preamble to the Laws (MCC)

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.

1. There are two Laws which place responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain. 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.

• In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, 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, and instruct the latter to take action.

2. 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 where required.

3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:

• Time wasting
• Damaging the pitch
• Dangerous or unfair bowling
• Tampering with the ball
• Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves respect for;

• Your opponents
• Your own captain
• The roles of the umpires
• The game’s traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game

• To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance; to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out, to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing, to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping, or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.

6. Violence, there is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players, Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution towards this.

Complaint Procedure

Players, coaches, managers, umpires, parents and spectators of CJCA controlled games who feel there is a breach of the above Code of Conduct, can choose to lodge a complaint to the Christchurch Junior Cricket Association (CJCA). Such notification must be made in writing, or via email to the CJCA General Manager within 3 days of the event occurring at our postal address of PO Box 36701, Merivale, Christchurch 8146, or [email protected])

Such complaints will be adjudicated on by a disciplinary committee, comprising of at least 3 CJCA executive committee members, or may be referred to the Canterbury Cricket Association (CCA) disciplinary procedures, if they are considered more appropriate. This committee will determine and communicate the adjudication timeframes for the complaint and responses. The defendant/s will be given the opportunity to read the details of the complaint and to respond. Complaints and responses by defendants may be supported in writing by others. The disciplinary committee will determine if a physical hearing is warranted but in any event, will consider the views expressed in writing by all parties. The committee may choose to approach other parties associated with the grade to establish if patterns of behaviour support or do not support the nature of the complaint.

The disciplinary committee may impose penalties including the suspension of any players, umpires, managers or coaches of teams playing in Association controlled or administered games. Any penalties imposed will be communicated in writing to the defendant/s and to the Club or School associated with the defendant, and where felt appropriate, to others as well.