As society, attitudes and patterns of behaviour are changing, the Devon Cricket Board has decided to fall in line with other counties and National bodies and issue a Code of Conduct. The Devon Cricket Board is committed to the player’s well being, future development and realisation of achievement. Our principles that underpin our Child Protection Policy that relate to this Code of Conduct are:-

     The child’s welfare is paramount;

n   All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin; religious belief or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse;

n  All children have the right to be safe and treated with dignity and respect..

Any breach of the Code may lead to the player being warned as to his/her future conduct or in more serious cases being suspended or barred from participation in DCB activities. During festivals or tours players may be sent home for serious breaches of discipline.

This code applies to all activities run by the DCB. Any matters regarding this code should be addressed to the Devon Cricket Board, Old Mill Cottage, West Buckland, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3AG and marked for the attention of the Chairman of the Devon Cricket Board Youth Association.

THE DCB AGREES TO PROVIDE:

u            A safe environment in which the player can learn and develop without fear or abuse;

u            Monitoring and support for the player;

u              A structured cricket learning programme, appropriate to the age, ability and growth of the player;

u              Participation in cricket matches arranged or approved by the DCB;

u             Trained and qualified coaching and other staff and facilities;

u            Guidelines to the players and parents/guardians on the best ways for them to contribute to the player’s cricketing and personal development;

u            Comprehensive insurance cover.

THE PLAYER AGREES TO:

u            Work towards the attainment of his/her full potential;

u          Attend DCB events regularly and punctually, behave with self-discipline and give notice of and reasons for any absence;

u           Abide by instructions given by the Team Coach and/or Manager;

u           Listen to and take on board guidance given by coaching and other DCB officials;

u               Practice the techniques and skills taught by the DCB coaching team and attempt to apply them in matches;

u              Abide by the Spirit, as well as the letter, of the laws of cricket (Copies of the Spirit of Cricket are available from your Manager);

u            Accept the umpire’s decision at all times and not to show any dissent  - umpires will be advised prior to a match of the high standards demanded from a DCB team;

u             Behave and dress in an appropriate manner (both on and off the field) when participating in DCB activities;

u             Arrive and leave matches dressed in clothing appropriate to the team for which you are playing as specified by the team manager;

u              Not to take alcohol or tobacco, or any other stimulant or harmful substance whilst participating in a DCB fixture, tour or festival;

u              Neither possess nor use any prohibited drugs;

u             Not take any unnecessary risks;

u               At no time to behave in such a manner to cause offence to Ground Authorities or any other person;

u               Abide by local practice rules;

u              During festivals and tours to behave in residences and in free time activities in a way not to cause inconvenience or annoyance to anyone - players must be in their own rooms by the time specified by the Team Manager (who has sole responsibility on and off the field);

u          Play cricket in a competitive manner but maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship;

u              Accept victory and defeat with dignity and grace;

u              Not to use foul or abusive language on or off the field;

u               Not to attempt to intimidate or deliberately distract opponents by acts of gamesmanship or aggressive behaviour;

u             Treat all players as you would like to be treated;

u             Co-operate with coaches, team-mates and opponents - remember without them there would be no game; Not to make reference to any Devon Cricket Board activity, official, player or parent on Facebook/Twitter/Internet and other social networking sites. Ensure that, when applicable, strict confidentiality is adhered to in respect of any Board activity, official, player or parent. Abide by the DCBYA E-Policy

u               Follow a lifestyle appropriate to development and sporting excellence - for example by spending leisure time positively - eating, drinking, relaxing and sleeping sensibly;

u             DCB matches and activities taking precedence over all inter-district, club and school matches;

u               Remember playing cricket is fun - don’t do it simply to please parents and coaches. 

THE PARENTS/GUARDIANS (FAMILIES) AGREE TO:

¨               Attend matches as often as possible  to support your child and the team they are representing - without your support the Devon Youth structure would not be able to function;

¨               Encourage and help the player meet targets, including abiding by this Code of Conduct;

¨               Support the player without pressure, praise good work and refrain from criticising lapses;

¨               Set a good example to the player;

¨               Respect the opportunity given to the player;

¨               Communicate with the DCB officials, keeping them informed about matters affecting the player;

¨               Not go on to the field or to give advice about the game to their child at any stage of the match;

¨               Not enter the dressing room at any stage of the match except in exceptional circumstances, such as injury, when this may be waived at the discretion and invitation of a team official;

¨               Ensure their child remains with the team during the duration of the match to ensure greater team spirit and aid their child’s cricket education;

¨               Not interfere, unless specifically requested, with the warm up, or comment on involvement of your child in the match;

¨               Not enter the scorebox, unless specifically requested to do so, or interrupt the scorer during the course of an over;

¨               Not undermine the role of the manager/coach during or after matches, by giving different advice to that which your child has been given;

¨               Appreciate that catering is provided for players and officials only and, unless invited by the home manager, refrain from using the meal area during intervals;

¨               Provide transport to matches or meeting point and, although it is understood that it is sometimes difficult to make arrangements, not request Managers and Coaches to assist;

¨               Express areas of concern, cricket or otherwise, with the Management after the game and in private;

¨               Ensure that your child adheres to the dress code, which will be specified by the team manager.

This code is not intended to cause offence to parents/guardians, but managers/assistants and coaches are entrusted by the DCB to educate players to a consistent cricket standard. It applies to all activities organised by the DCB. Whilst the DCB fully accepts that many parents/guardians have played the game and feel they could do or advise better, EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT THIS ONLY LEADS TO CONFUSION. Each official as well as your child are subject to strict codes. This is merely intended to guide and help you become part of the team involved in Devon cricket.

THE MANAGER/COACH AGREES TO:

¨               Be responsible for the conduct of all players and officials during the period they are representing the DCB, on or off the field, at festivals and on tours and deal with any matter arising, taking the appropriate action;

¨               Undertake the selection and administration of all teams under his control, reporting regularly to the DCB on all pertinent matters and producing an end of season report;

¨               Ensure that there is always an adult, connected with the representative side, present throughout the duration of matches or practices or coaching sessions to ensure the supervision of players at all times, giving due consideration to their privacy;

¨               Ensure, before the commencement of the match, that the umpires are made aware of the standards expected from the DCB and request any incident to be reported at the earliest opportunity;

¨               Ensure that the pavilion and ground areas are left in a tidy condition, with all local practice rules and ground regulations observed;

¨               Undertake good child protection practice in all dealings with his/her players;

¨               Be CRB checked and vetted prior to their involvement.

¨               Abide by the DCB E-Policy

 Any breach of this code or, if the integrity of the DCB is put into question, will be dealt with by the DCB in a prescribed manner.

IN GENERAL:

Team Tactics will be the sole responsibility of the Management team (Manager, Coach, Captain and Vice Captain). They should not be publicly criticised by players, parents/guardians or non-participants.

Batting Order will be determined by the Management team.

Players Performances will not be the subject of judgement and criticism by other players, parents/guardians and non-participants.

Selectors and Umpires Decisions: Players and non-participants must accept without question decisions made by selectors and umpires during the course of the game.

Helmets: It is DCB practice that wicket-keepers, standing up to the wicket, and all batsmen will wear a helmet. A wicket-keeper face protector is not permitted.

Kit - we would encourage players not to wear county kit in club/school matches. 

Precis of the Agreed Youth Association E-Policy

Devon Cricket Board Policy on the Use of Social Media 

The Board’s policy on use of social networking through the use of Internet-based and other electronic social media tools is integrated into everyday life. Use of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, blogging, wikis and other online social media vehicles are commonplace. This policy is intended to provide guidance to eliminate any confusion concerning the use of social media. This policy outlines the standards the Board requires users of these systems to observe, the circumstances in which we will monitor use of these systems and the action we will take in respect of breaches of these standards.This policy forms part of the Devon Cricket Board’s Youth Association Code of Conduct and it may be amended at any time. Adults will comply with the full DCB E-Policy – (available on devoncricket.com)

This policy covers all individuals working and playing at all levels and grades, including managers, coaches, umpires, scorers and players (collectively referred to as Staff and Players in this policy).

Staff and Players must not bring The Board or any of its clients into disrepute by virtue of their conduct. Such conduct may include (but is not exhaustive to) making comments about the Board or its’ clients which may be regarded as negative or derogatory in the public domain. For example, on blogs or social networking sites, such as Facebook, My Space or Twitter. The lines between playing county youth cricket and personal life can become blurred. In general, what you do on your own time is a personal decision. However, activities in or outside the playing, coaching and managing for Devon that affect your involvement performance, the performance of others, or the Board’s business interests