CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL MEMBERS & GUESTS

The Governing Committee of Upton Cricket Club wishes to create an environment where cricket can be enjoyed by all in a safe and pleasant environment. To support this, the club adopts the ECB Code of Conduct and all members, and their guests are expected to follow these. Failure to do so, may result in disciplinary action being taken, and/or membership being cancelled.

Where this Code of Conduct references other policies, it is the members responsibility to understand the details contained within those policies.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term ‘participation in Recreational Cricket’ relates any cricket related activity whether that be playing, training, or spectating and applies to all membership categories of Upton Cricket Club.

General
A member shall be in breach of these Regulations if they commit any misconduct as set out below which either relates to their participation in Recreational Cricket (whether that be in a playing or spectating capacity) and/or is of a sufficiently serious nature to justify disciplinary action being taken in relation to their participation in Recreational Cricket:

• Making an abusive, obscene, offensive, or otherwise insulting comment or gesture (in any form) in relation to any other Participant or any other person
• Any act of violence towards another person
• Engaging in behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse or harassment, whether physical, sexual, emotional, neglectful, or bullying in nature
• Any breach of the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code
• Making any adverse public statement or comment in any form and by any means about the performance and/or decision(s) of any match official(s)
• Failing to report to their Club, any Relevant Criminal Offence for which they have been subject to investigation and/or charged with
• Conducting themselves in a manner, or doing or omitting to do anything which is or may be prejudicial to the best interests of cricket, or which may bring or does bring the game of cricket or the ECB into disrepute
• Engaging in any corrupt conduct in relation to cricket, in particular fixing the result, progress, conduct or any aspect of a match

Conduct around Juniors
When being in contact with Juniors, whether that be in a coaching or playing capacity, all members are obliged to:

• Place the wellbeing and safety of young people above the development of performance.
• Ensure that 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 or use banned substances while actively working with young people.
• Follow the ECB guidelines set out in “Safe Hands”, Crickets policy for safeguarding children.

Drugs
The ECB’s policy states that there should be no distinction drawn between ‘performance enhancing’ and ‘recreational’ drugs. As is such, the use or distribution of illegal drugs by any member is a breach of these regulations and may result in disciplinary action and/or membership being cancelled.

Racial Abuse
Players, team officials and spectators must not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members, and supporters. Racially abusive comments or actions will normally result in disciplinary action which may lead to suspension, the length depending upon the circumstances.

Social Media
Posting, repeating, commenting, or supporting posts or comments by others that breach these regulations may itself constitute a breach of the regulations. For example, liking or otherwise promoting or supporting a comment that breaches the ECB’s Anti-Discrimination Code is likely to result in a breach of the regulations not only for the person who posted the comment in the first place but also for any Participant who supports that post.

If a participant is alleged to have breached these regulations as a result of having liked or supported a discriminatory comment but claims that someone else logged into their social media account to submit that “like” (or other supportive comment/gesture), this will not necessarily prevent regulatory action being taken but should be taken into account by the Disciplinary Panel.

Additional Information
In addition, and to support this Code of Conduct, all club officers and appointed volunteers will:

• Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance.
• Always work in an open environment, avoiding private or unobserved situations.
• Inform players and parents of the requirements of Cricket.
• Know and understand the ECBs Safe Hands policy.
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with Young Players based on mutual trust and respect.
• Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary, is carried out within recommended guidelines and with the young player’s full consent.
• Attend appropriate training to keep up to date with their role and especially with respect to the safeguarding of young people.

This code overrides and replaces previous documents and comes into effect from 12th March 2026. It applies to all activities taking place at Upton Cricket Club and at other venues, such as, but not confined to, away fixtures or meetings and events whereby the member might reasonably be assumed to be representing Upton Cricket Club.

Upton Cricket Club Governing Committee
March 2026