Code of Conduct

Issued No.3 - October 2024

The Tigers are committed to the principle that its Management Committee (the Committee) and members must adhere to high
standards of conduct, comply with the law, and meet the expectations of the local community. It is recognised that high behavioural standards are valuable and offer benefits by:

• Enhancing the Club’s reputation as fair, reasonable, embracing diversity, and being inclusive.
• Helping to maintain high standards of behaviour throughout the Club.
• Providing all our members with a clear understanding of the Club’s goals and methods.
• Developing pride among our members and giving focus to the Club as a whole.

High behavioural standards are enshrined in The Tigers’ Vision and Operating Style, which provide the foundation for this Code of Conduct. Accordingly, a number of guidelines have been developed. These guidelines outline the Club’s Code of Conduct and establish procedures for reporting and remedying any transgressions from these standards.

Peter Hanna
President

  TIGER’S APPROACH  

Our Mission

Wallsend District Cricket Club is recognised by its members, affiliates, and peers as a leader in Newcastle cricket. We are committed to providing a high-quality experience to current and potential members and are acknowledged as a leading sporting organisation in administration, development, participation, performance, and profile.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the premier Club in Newcastle cricket. We aim to achieve premiership success and provide an exceptional playing and social experience for everyone involved with the Club through:

• Providing the necessary resources and training frameworks.
• Creating pathways to elite levels of cricket.
• Fostering a culture of hard work, encouragement, and support, ensuring all cricketers have equal opportunities to excel.

Our Core Values

Social Spirit: We promote active, positive community participation and ensure that players, past and present members, supporters, sponsors, and families feel welcomed.

Respect: We uphold respect for everyone, regardless of gender, ability, age, cultural background, religion, or sexual orientation.

Health and Well-being: We prioritise the health and well-being of our community.

Enjoyment and Fun: We believe in enjoying the game and having fun.

Pride: We take pride in our Club.

Commitment and Discipline: We are dedicated and disciplined in our pursuit of excellence.

Club Identity: Our Club, the Tigers, symbolises our collective spirit and goals.

Operating Style

In pursuit of our vision, our operating style is characterised by:

• Working in an open, transparent, collaborative, inclusive, and planned environment.
• Keeping our promises and consistently meeting our commitments.
• Engaging in open and fact-based decision-making and conversations.
• Respecting and embracing inclusiveness and diversity.
• Delivering value to our members and the community, including safeguarding children and young people.

Our Goals

• To be consistently competitive across all grades in the NDCA & NJCA competitions.
• To become the preferred choice for players seeking a club.
• To operate with a financial surplus while optimising costs for players and members.
• To be recognised by members and community partners as a significant value adder.
• To engage effectively with our members and community stakeholders.
• To comply with all relevant regulatory obligations.

  ACCOUNTABILITIES  

Responsibilities of Members, Supporters, Parents – Guiding Principles

• All Committee members must be familiar with the Code’s contents. Codemal and playing members should also understand the Club’s practices and relevant policies in detail.
• It is the responsibility of every Club member and supporter to comply with the Code of Conduct.

Players

• Participate positively, representing our Club with pride.
• Play fairly and adhere to the rules.
• Continuously work on improving your game to benefit both your team’s performance and your personal development.
• Be punctual for training, game days, and club functions, or communicate any delays to your captain or coach.
• Treat all participants as you would like to be treated; do not bully or take unfair advantage of others.
• Cooperate with your coach, teammates, opponents, and umpires - without them, there is no competition.
• Please respect all participants’ rights, dignity, and worth, regardless of their gender, ability, age, cultural background, religion, or sexuality.
• Refrain from arguing with an official; address concerns through your captain to maintain respect for our Code of conduct and values.
• Control your temper - verbal abuse of officials, opponents, and teammates is unacceptable.
• Maintain a positive attitude.

Parents & Supporters

• Understand that children participate in sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage your children to be involved and focus on their efforts and performance, not just the outcomes.
• Lead by example - children learn best from adult behaviours.
• Respect the decisions of officials and teach your children to do the same.
• Show respect for volunteer coaches, officials, and administrators who enable your child’s participation.
• Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of every young person.

  BREACH OF THE CODE  

Any member who breaches this Code Codeny-related guidelines or policies or authorises or permits such breaches will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from the Club.


  MEMBER CONCERNS  

• If a decision or action seems inconsistent with this Code, you are still determining how to raise the matter promptly.
• Ideally, discuss issues first with your Grade or Club Captain. If this is not possible, any Committee member can be contacted.
• The person you contact is responsible for promptly addressing your questions and concerns regarding conduct. All inquiries must be taken seriously and handled confidentially.
• Members raising genuine concerns will not face retribution or disciplinary action. If you feel you have been or will be penalised for expressing concerns, inform the Club President immediately.

  ON MATCH DAY  

Support for Post-Match Functions and Events

Members are expected to attend and support post-match functions and fundraising events, including patronage of the Club’s key sponsors’ businesses. Members should arrive at post-match functions as soon as possible after the match and stay for 1 to 2 hours wearing a club shirt.

Personal Behaviour

Members are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner on and off the field and respect umpires, opponents, fellow players/members, and the team captain as stipulated in this Code and the NDCA Code of Conduct.

Dress Standards
Playing Members – Match Day

• Members must wear the Club shirt to and from matches and post-match functions.
• On-field attire includes full cricket creams, long pants, and a Club cap or hat. Coloured socks are not permitted. Team or Club uni forms provided for match day must be worn during the match.

After-Match Functions

• When attending functions at other organisations’ premises, members should comply with that organisation’s preferred dress standards but wear the Club shirt where possible.

Start Times

Players should arrive at the match and be ready to play at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time (45 minutes for 1st Grade).


Alcohol & Drugs

• Members are responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all Club associates and members.
• Members must not be impaired by any drugs (legal or illegal, including alcohol) while participating in matches or attending Club functions. Drinking alcohol during matches, including breaks, is strictly prohibited.
• Any member who appears to be unduly affected by alcohol or drugs can be stood down from play at the discretion of the Team Captain.
• Repeated issues related to alcohol or drugs are considered severe misconduct.

Umpiring & Scoring

In the absence of official umpires or scorers, members may be asked by the Team Captain to fulfil these roles.

Afternoon Teas – Home Matches

Afternoon Teas are a proud and long-standing tradition at home matches at Wallsend No.1 & 2 Ovals.


Provision of Gear & Equipment

Members are generally expected to provide their equipment, such as bats, pads, and gloves, unless arrangements are made with the Club to the contrary.

  ATTENDANCE AT TRAINING  

Playing members are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in at least one Club training session per week, ideally two.
• Show respect for Club equipment and facilities during training.
• Follow the instructions of the Club Coach and Practice Captains.

  SELECTIONS & AVAILABILITY  

Selection

The Selection Committee will select players for Grade Teams based on the Club’s Selection Policy, which is available on the homepage.

Availability

Members are assumed to be available for selection unless they notify the Chairman of Selectors otherwise. Notifications of unavailability must be made seven days before Match Day or by 6 PM on the Thursday before Match Day if the unavailability arises closer to the time.

  PAYMENT OF FEES  

Members must pay all dues by the dates specified by the Registrar unless an alternate payment plan is arranged.


  PRIVACY  

Member information must be handled professionally and ethically, carefully considering the privacy and security of internal records.

  GUIDELINES FOR TEAM CAPTAINS  

Team Captains are responsible for ensuring the following:

• Members adhere to this Code both on and off the field.
• All used match balls are returned to the Club Coach or Training Coordinators.
• Scorebooks are completed and signed at the end of each day’s play and returned weekly to the Club Statistician.
• “Live scoring” is completed for home games through the PlayHQ platform, with full match details entered within 24 hours of the match’s conclusion.
• The club captain requests a “Captain’s report” to support team and member awards.
• All match day fees are collected and secured with the Treasurer.

The role of Team Captain is pivotal, acting as a critical link between the players and Club activities, especially social and fundraising events. Captains are responsible for engaging and promoting these events to their players to ensure consistent attendance and support. They also play a crucial role in encouraging regular attendance at training sessions.