Halesowen CC Playing Charter

Halesowen Cricket Club has a long and respected history throughout Midlands Club Cricket.

The playing charter is a self regulated set of guidelines for all players and representatives of the club to adhere to. HCC Players Charter, and a copy is presented below.

As a Halesowen Cricketer, it is expected that a level of professionalism and courtesy is maintained at all times. With this in mind, the following guidelines have been produced. It is expected that all cricketers understand, accept and adhere to this document.

As a Halesowen Cricketer, it is expected that a level of professionalism and courtesy is maintained at all times. With this in mind, the following guidelines have been produced. It is expected that all cricketers understand, accept and adhere to this document.

1.       Conduct

All players should ensure they act in a respectful and mature manner when attending the club, at an opposition premises or at any engagement where they are representing the club including league meetings and social functions. This applies to situations both on and off the pitch.

Halesowen Cricketers should;

1. Not engage in any activity that would be damaging to the reputation of the club
2. Not engage in any form of aggravated argument or violence
3. Ensure any ‘banter’ is of a sensible level and consider people’s personal feelings when engaging
4. Temper the language they use
5. Moderate alcohol consumption (No alcohol to be consumed prior to and during games)
6. Adhere to the league code of conduct as set out in the league handbook
7. Adhere to the laws relating to child protection as described by the clubs welfare officer
8. Remember, an umpires decision is FINAL and therefore cricketers should not question either on the field of play or after the game. By all means raise a complaint with your captain and or cricket manager
9. Ensure sportsman-like conduct at all time

2.       Subs & Fees

In order for a cricketer to be eligible for selection and to play, annual fees MUST be paid in full by the closing date as designated by the membership secretary (or an agreement in place with the membership secretary for payment of said fees). There will be NO exceptions to this rule.

Match fees (where applicable) are mandatory. Please ensure you bring your match fees to the game, and have the correct change (where possible). If match fees are not paid on the day, selection committee may withhold your availability until the fees are cleared.

Captains on the day are responsible for ensuring that all player fees are collected, summarised correctly on the match envelope (confirming date, HCC team, opposition, home or away, player names and individual amounts) and that the envelope is left in the Treasurers folder behind the bar immediately after the game (or next home game if playing away).

3.       Selection and Availability

The team selections are the responsibility of the selection committee and based solely on ability and performance. There is NO automatic selection.

Team selection in a club of our size is difficult. By all means, feel free to query your position – however, the decision of the committee is final.

You should be respectful and professional when you have been selected for a specific team – regardless of your own thoughts on the matter. Open discussion about selection criteria and negative conversations is counter-productive and against what the club are trying to achieve. Should you feel aggrieved at a selection decision, please contact the cricket manager or the relevant captain directly.

If you have made yourself available for selection, you must play where you are selected – whether home or away. The club will not allow players to dictate where they are picked.

Please ensure you have the contact details of your captain, your vice-captain and the cricket manager. In the event of a change of availability or to notify the club of your availability, you should contact the officials in the order above, i.e. call captain first > then vice > then manager.

You are expected to inform the club of your availability no later than 5 days ahead of a game. In normal circumstances, your availability will be taken after each league match for the following game. If you are not present to provide this information, please inform the captain / vice / manager no later than the Monday night before the next game.

The club understands that situations do change and from time to time your availability may be subject to family / work / injury / emergency commitments. It is your responsibility to communicate this to the club via the channels outlined above.

It is NOT acceptable to cry off on a Friday night on a whim. Neither is it acceptable to become unavailable after selection if you do not like where you are playing. If either of these situations occurs, it may well affect future selection decisions. If someone becomes unavailable after selection based on the team picked then they will not be considered for selection until that matter is dealt with.

4.       Training & Attendance

All cricketers are expected to attend regular training sessions (work, home-life and fitness permitting) as outlined by the club (please check the website or confirm with a captain / vice-captain or cricket manager to confirm when these sessions are running).

The club makes every effort to provide the highest quality facilities available to it for the use of the cricketers. The club also wishes to compete at the highest standard possible. Each cricketer should make every effort to attend training. Repeated missed training will affect selection. If you cannot attend a training session, you must let your captain / vice / cricket manager know in advance or as soon as possible.

To be clear: if someone is not at training AND does not let their captain or the cricket manager know then it will be assumed that they are unavailable for the weekend.

The club understands not everyone can make training every week, but training is mandatory without a valid reason not to be there. Training is important not just at the start of the season, but all the way through. We cannot afford to drop off our standards at any point this year if we are hoping to be successful.

The club also expects (where possible as outlined above) cricketers to attend meetings and social events that are created for the cricketers.

5.       Complaints

If you have a complaint with regards to a fellow cricketer (home or away), official, member of the club or supporter please consult a captain, vice-captain or the cricket manager as soon as possible. They will advise as to how to proceed whether that be mediating or reporting to the club committee or league.

6.       Disciplinary Procedures