New Victoria Cricket Club

The club are very proud to have received the England and Wales Cricket Board standard "Clubmark". New Victoria take pride in having the following procedures in place.

New Victoria CC have:

• qualified cricket coaches
• all coaches and volunteers who are responsible for children have a CRB certificate
• the club have appointed a club welfare officer and an assistant
• welfare officer and assistant have attented child protection courses and a time to listen course

CONSTITUTION

1 Name
The club will be called NEW VICTORIA CRICKET CLUB and will be affiliated to the SOUTHPORT AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE AND ANY OTHER BODIES IN WHICH THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FEEL RELEVANT.

2 Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of the club will be:
To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in cricket
To promote the club within the local community and cricketing circles
To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club
To provide all its’ services in a way that is fair to everyone
To ensure that all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment
To adopt and implement the ECB Safe Hands – Welfare of Young People in cricket Policy
To adopt and implement the ECB Club Mark Accreditation Criteria
All club officials and volunteers must operate within the relevant code of conduct adopted by the club

3 Membership
Membership should consist of officers and members of the club.
All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted. The disciplinary committee are to deal with any member not keeping to the relevant procedures put in place.

Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:
Adult member
Junior member

4 Membership Fees
Membership fees will be set annually and agreed at the Annual General Meeting.

5 Officers of the Club
The officers of the club will be:
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Club Welfare Officer
Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee
Any other relevant position

Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General meeting.
All Officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment.

Only members who have been in membership of the club for at least 2 years will be able to become officers of the club.
Only members who have been in membership of the club for at least 1 year will be able to become a captain of a club team.

6 Committee
The club will be managed through the Management Committee consisting of:
Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Club Welfare Officer, Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee and at least 2 other members of the club.
Only these posts will the right to vote at meetings of the Management Committee.

The Secretary of the club will convene the Management Committee at times when a member of the committee feels relevant.

The minimum number required for business to be agreed at Management Committee meetings will be: 5

The Management Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the club.

The Management Committee will have powers to appoint sub committees as necessary and appoint advisors to the Management Committee as necessary to fulfil its’ business.

The Disciplinary Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/ regulations/ constitution. The Disciplinary Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

7 Finance
All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.
The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.
The financial year of the club will end on: 1 January of that year.

An audited statement of the annual accounts will be presented by the treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the treasurer plus up to two other officers.

8 Annual General Meetings
Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be given by the Club Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days’ notice to be given to all members.

The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Management Committee and a statement of the audited accounts.

Nominations for officers of the Management Committee will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM.
Election of officers is to take place at the AGM.

All members have the right to vote at the AGM.

The quorum for an AGM will be 25% of the club membership.

The Management Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) outside the AGM. Procedures for an EGM will be the same as for the AGM.
For general members of the club to call an Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) outside the AGM they need the signatures of 8 members of the club.

9 Discipline and Appeals
It is the duty of all members to ensure that they conduct themselves properly in the course of or in connection with a match or club event.

It shall be a disciplinary offence to:
(a) For any member in the course of or in connection with a match or club event to misconduct themselves or to act at any time in a manner calculated to prejudice the good name or interests of the club.

(b) For any member to act in a manner likely to bring the game or club event into disrepute, and the player committing an offence shall be liable to penalties in the manner described hereafter.

Any member of the club, parent/guardian of a player or umpire shall submit a report setting out the details of the offence. The report should be submitted to the secretary within 48 hours of the incident. The individual making the report shall inform the captain/ team manager or other club official responsible for the match or event, of the incident prior to leaving the match or event. The secretary shall pass the report onto the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee.

The Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee will determine what the appropriate minimum penalty is, as provided for in the guidelines would be for the reported offence. If found not guilty no penalty shall be given. The Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee shall report the penalty to the secretary who shall report the penalty to the accused and the accuser within 72 hours of receiving the report.

The accused and the accuser have the option of accepting the penalty or requesting a disciplinary hearing. Any such hearing will be held on the Thursday following the completion of the match or event from which the report arose. Representatives from all sides shall be entitled to attend the hearing and present evidence.

A disciplinary committee shall consist of 3 members of the nominated disciplinary committee.
When the report involves a child protection issue, the club welfare officer must be involved in proceedings.

If at the hearing the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved, it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties:
(i) expulsion of membership from the club
(ii) suspension for one or more matches
(iii) fine
(iv) verbal warning
(v) written warning

A member found by the Disciplinary Committee to have committed an offence and upon whom the Disciplinary Committee has imposed a penalty shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Sub-Committee. Notice of appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the secretary within 72 hours of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. Upon giving Notice of Appeal the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal. The Appeal will be heard on the Thursday following the original hearing.

An appeals sub committee shall consist of 3 different members of the nominated disciplinary committee, than those that sat on the original hearing.

The Appeals Sub-Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Committee including the power to increase the penalty where, in the Appeals Sub-Committees opinion the penalty previously imposed was manifestly wrong.
The decision of the Appeals Sub-Committee shall be final and binding. If a member receives a penalty and try’s to leave the club while the penalty is still in effect, their registration will be upheld.

10 Dissolution
A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of a chosen CASC organisation or registered charity. This organisation will be decided at the final AGM or EGM.

11 Amendments to the Constitution
The constitution will only be changed through agreement by a majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

12 Declaration
New Victoria Cricket Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

CLUB CHAIR
SIGNED: ………………………………………………. DATE: ……………………………………

NAME: …………………………………………………..

CLUB SECRETARY
SIGNED: ………………………………………………. DATE: ……………………………………

NAME: …………………………………………………..

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

This policy is based on the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Child Protection Guidelines and is adopted by New Victoria Cricket Club in the best interests of junior players, coaches, volunteers and officials (hereafter referred to as officials etc).

Good Practice In Care and Protection of Children
Children are defined as anyone less than 18 years of age where the individual does not have full legal powers.

Coaching Situations
All coaching and game situations are to take place where others can observe them with another coach or volunteer present or, if not within sight of parents or the general public.

Supervision
All activities are to be supervised (as above). Children must not take part in unsupervised activities, out of sight of coaches etc.

Touching and Physical Support
Great care should be taken when physical conduct with children is a possibility. Quite innocent movements and gestures can lead to unwanted contact or inappropriate touching with children. In general a respectful social distance should be kept of, say three feet, otherwise children may draw negative conclusions from adults who stand too close to them. Arms around shoulders and contact from behind are also negative.

Physical support during coaching or first aid must be kept to a minimum. If it can be achieved coaching should take place with no physical support, through demonstration and instruction. When support is unavoidable the coach should ask permission of the child beforehand. Parents should be aware that a minimum amount of physical contact is likely in coaching but that it is kept to an absolute minimum but it is inevitable when first aid is administered.

Officials etc should not –
Spend large amounts of time alone with children
Transport children alone in a car (Where unavoidable make sure child sits in rear seats)
Take children home when they would be alone with you

When situations make the above unavoidable then the full knowledge and consent of the parents should be obtained.
Officials etc should never –
Engage in rough, physical or sexually proactive games, including horseplay
Share a room with a child
Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching
Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged
Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun
Allow allegations made by a child to go unchallenged, unrecorded or not acted upon
Do things of a person nature for children they do for themselves
Allow children to stay with you at your home unsupervised

Wherever possible children should be encouraged to take responsibility for themselves (age appropriate). Children should be aware of what is being done and to be able to make choices on that basis.

Children’s reactions to events should always be noted and reacted to appropriately (e.g. – if a child is distressed, sexually aroused, angry or misunderstands situations). In such situations the coaches reaction should be to withdraw from the situation, placate the individual and report the matter to the Club Welfare Officer and parents.

First Aid
When contact is made during first aid treatment the same rules apply. Major movements of the body and touching of sensitive areas are best left to health care professionals.

Changing Rooms
Children should be allowed to get changed in private without adults watching directly. When support in changing is required parents should assist the child. If intervention by officials etc is necessary it should be with other adults present. When coaches etc are in the changing rooms they must be together with at least one other coach etc.

Mixed Teams
When teams are of a mixed gender there must be an official present from both genders at all times. Separate changing and toilet facilities should be provided, if only by alternating use under supervision from the same gender. At those times no member of the opposite gender is to have access to the facilities.

Team Management
Teams must be managed in a fair and equal manner, without discrimination of any kind. Formal or informal relationship bias is not allowed.
Teams are to be managed in an open and honest way. No secrets are kept between coaches etc and players and all information on players is kept in confidence and not relayed to anyone else.
Coaches etc are to maintain reasonable discipline as a person in place of the parents, within the clubs code of conduct and refer all breaches to the Club Welfare Officer and parents.

Declaration Forms
All officials in contact with children must complete the declaration form and, if necessary, be police cleared through the Criminal Records Bureau (C.R.B).

Club Welfare Officer
Peter Hames
16 Windsor Road
Southport
PR9 0SG
Tel: 01704 534581

Child Protection Officer
Andy Addison
3 Oak Street
Southport
PR8 6BW
Tel: 01704 546293

EQUITY POLICY STATEMENT

New Victoria Cricket Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its’ development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:

Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.

New Victoria Cricket Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of cricket, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/ economic status.

New Victoria Cricket Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their cricket in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

New Victoria Cricket Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to the club disciplinary procedures.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

No activity is allowed to take place, which threatens the health, welfare and well-being of the players and officials of the club.

No predictable activity is allowed to take place or facilities used which has not been subject to a formal RISK ASSESSMENT. A separate form is to be filled out for each activity and facility. All completed forms to be submitted to the Club Welfare Officer.

Any shortfall in risk assessments must be reported to the Club Welfare Officer and must be made good before those facilities can be used.

Circumstances or conditions, which arise without warning, must be assessed quickly and in the safety interests of the members (e.g. the potentially dangerous use of other clubs’ facilities, weather conditions, or actions on the field. In these circumstances the team manager or captain at the time is the person who will make the decision.

It should be remembered that in circumstances which involve junior players under 18 years of age, that the team manager or other official acts in place of the parents and is required to have the judgement of a responsible parent. Whilst an independent adult may decide to confront certain risks the junior player is not in a legal position to do so and must withdraw voluntarily.

In the event of an accident involving injury or shock to a player, umpire or other member a First Aid Incident Report Form must be completed by the captain/ team manager and passed to the Club Welfare Officer. Copies will be provided on the club notice board.

A full First Aid Kit is to be kept on the club premises.
A mobile First Aid Kit is to be taken with each team representing the club.
One of the team, coach or junior organiser must be nominated as a First Aider.

At home matches it is the captains responsibility to search the outfield for objects and materials which may be dangerous to players. If necessary these items must be removed before the start of play.

All team managers and captains/ vice captains must carry a mobile phone whose number is known to
club officials.
Each captain/ team manager must carry the phone number of the Southport and Formby District General Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit 01704 547471 and Ormskirk General Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit 01695 577111, Which will be displayed on the club notice board.

JUNIOR CLUB RULES

New Victoria Cricket Club is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members.

The club values constructive comment and the sharing of any concerns with the club/ team management. The views of members etc will be taken into account and will be put forward, as far as possible. The full participation in club activities is also valued through the junior committee.

Players, members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the club should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others.

Players must be aware of their reasonable obligations to the team manager/ coach/ captain.

All members must play within the rules and respect officials and their decisions.

Respect must be shown to the opponents by –
When fielding – clap incoming batters
When batting – clap out going batters
End of innings – clap opponents off the field
End of game – all players shake hands with all opponents

Members should be reliable and keep to agreed prior commitments, where humanly possible both for matches and training. Inform officials of any changes in circumstances in good time.

Suitable kit must be used for matches and training. Personal equipment must be clean and well maintained.
MATCHES – only full cricket whites will be worn and no shorts.
White cricket shoes or predominantly white trainers.
Personal protective equipment (e.g. box and support
Personal or club helmet as within guidelines
No non trainers, black trainers or black socks

TRAINING – Tracksuit bottoms may replace cricket whites

Members must pay any fees as required by club officials. Attending without the appropriate fee may lead to the player being withdrawn.
Members must play within the “Spirit of the Game” – copy enclosed – and be aware that any breach of the code or of any other club rule will be disciplined as appropriate by the club disciplinary committee.

Junior members are not allowed to smoke, consume alcohol or drugs of any kind at a game, social function or any event organised by the club. Players should be aware that when they attend ANY game, even in a private capacity, whilst in membership of N.V.C.C they are representing the club and that the highest standards of behaviour, attitude etc are expected.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS/ GUARDIANS ETC

Encourage your child to learn the rules of cricket and to play within them.

Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.

Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.

Never force your child to take part.

Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.

Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.

Publicly accept official judgments.

Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy cricket.

Encourage your child to take a wide interest in cricket, through t.v, magazines, newspapers etc.

Use correct and proper language at all times.

Ensure your child is aware of the club’s players’ code of conduct and the need to keep to it.

Be aware that any persons breaching the parents or junior players codes of conduct will be required to explain their actions to the disciplinary committee and that action may be taken under the club’s disciplinary code.

GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH AN INCIDENT / ACCIDENT

Stay calm but act swiftly and observe the situation. Is there danger of further injuries?

Listen to what the injured person is saying

Alert the first aider who should take appropriate action for minor injuries

In the event of an injury requiring specialist treatment, call the emergency services

Deal with the rest of the group and ensure that they are adequately supervised

Do not move someone with major injuries. Wait for emergency medics

Contact the injured persons parent/ guardian

Complete an incident/ accident report form

(ADULTS)
Southport and Formby District General Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit
01704 547471

(JUNIORS)
Ormskirk General Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit
01695 577111

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR CLUB OFFICIALS
AND VOLUNTEERS

All volunteers must:

Consider the well-being and safety of participants before the development of performance

Develop an appropriate working relationship with players, based on mutual trust and respect

Make sure all activities are appropriate to the age, ability and experience of those taking part

Promote the positive aspects of cricket (e.g. fair play)

Display consistently high standards of behaviour and appearance

Follow all guidelines laid down by the England and Wales Cricket Board and New Victoria CC

Hold the appropriate, valid qualifications and insurance cover

Never Exert undue influence over players to obtain personal benefit or reward

Never condone rule violations, rough play or the use of prohibitive substances

Encourage players to value their performances and not just results

RECRUITMENT POLICY

New Victoria Cricket Club have made the decision that the club will operate with good practice and will carry out the relevant checks on any individual. The club has adopted the following recruitment policy for all volunteers and staff working on the clubs’ behalf, to ensure that the appropriate adults carry out all club activities. This policy will apply to adults taking responsibility of either adult or junior activity.

The club committee will write a job description, which will set out the roles and responsibilities of the post. The job description will also set out the expectations of the club.

The club committee will write also produce a personal specification setting out the ideal qualifications and experience required.

An application form will be attached with the relevant information. The aim of the application form will be to collect all the relevant information about the applicant. This information will be used to access a candidates’ suitability for the post.

The club committee will give the candidate a pack, which will contain the following:
Job Description
Personal Specification
Application Form
Officials Pack

New Victoria Cricket Club require all candidates to complete an application form, which includes:
Name and Address
Proof of Identification
Experience, Qualifications and Training
Past involvement in cricket or sport
Two written references (Not relatives), in suitable past experiences in relation to the post
Giving permission for a CRB check to be carried out if position requires

When the club committee have short listed candidates for the post, they will be required to complete a Self Declaration Form. All short listed candidates must be prepared to sign up to and comply with the policies/ procedures and codes of conduct put in place by the club.
The Club Welfare Officer will pick up any concerns regarding information received on a Self Declaration Form. After consultation with the individual concerned, this information may be passed onto the County Welfare Officer and dealt with accordingly.

Two written references should be followed up and at least one should have involved working with young people (If relevant). References should be followed up with a telephone call.

The successful candidate prior to starting in the post will be required to be successfully checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.

All candidates who the club feel are most suited to the post must attend an interview according to all protocol and recommendations.
All candidates must receive an induction, which includes:
Proof of qualifications
Identify any training needed
Sign up to policies/ procedures and codes of conduct
Induction to club officials

All individuals working with young people are required to attend a child protection workshop every 3 years.
An individual will also be required to attend any relevant training workshop, which the committee or individual feels are relevant.

All individuals working on behalf of New Victoria CC will be required to have regular meetings, with the Chairman or other relevant individual. These meetings will identify training needs, set new goals or deal with any concerns about poor practice.

New Victoria Cricket Club have adopted the complaints and discipline procedure of the England and Wales Cricket Board to deal with any formal complaints/ appeals.

NETS POLICY

It is the policy of New Victoria Cricket Club that all official ‘net sessions’ are supervised by a minimum Level 1 qualified coach.

When ‘netting’ on the field, no individual kit bags should be taken onto the playing area and all participants must get changed in the changing rooms.

Clothing and footwear suitable for physical activity must be worn by all cricketers.

No participant should be put under any undue stress or pressure whilst participating in these sessions and all cricketers are strongly advised to begin each session with a warm up.

All cricketers waiting to bat or bowl are strongly advised to remain a suitable safe distance away from the striking batsman and bowlers are remain vigilant at all times particularly when practising in the off-field netting area.

Any issues of concern should immediately be brought to the attention of the Club Welfare Officer or their assistant.

Code of Conduct for Cricket Club Members and Guests

Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of Cricket

Treat everyone equally and not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief

Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of discrimination if witnessed

Display high standards of behaviour

Promote the positive aspects of Cricket e.g. fair play

Encourage all participants to learn the Laws and rules and play within them, respecting the decisions of match officials

Actively discourage unfair play, rule violations and arguing with match officials

Recognise good performance not just match results

Place the well-being 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 whilst actively working with Young People in the Club.

Not provide Young People with alcohol when they are under the care of the Club

Follow ECB guidelines set out in the “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’ and any other relevant guidelines issued

Report any concerns in relation to a Young Person, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB

In addition to the above, all Club Officers and Appointed Volunteers will:

Hold relevant qualifications and be covered by appropriate insurance

Always work in an open environment (i.e. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment)

Inform Players and Parents of the requirements of Cricket

Know and understand the ECB’s ‘Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children’