SSJCA

The SSJCA shall apply a Code of Conduct based on sportsmanship, fair play, and consideration for the efforts and responsibilities of others.

What is the Code? - Definition.

At all times, on and off the field, at SSJCA functions, matches and, in relation to SSJCA Management affairs, officials, players, and all others to whom this Code applies shall conduct themselves in a appropriate manner as to promote the good name of cricket, the work of the SSJCA and the Club/Organisation with which the player, official or other person may be a member of, or representing.

To whom does it apply?

The Code applies to all Playing Members, and all Club Members, parents, officials and others participating in the activities of the SSJCA and having an affiliation with the SSJCA as provided for in the SSJCA Constitution.

The Code as applied to players.

When playing the game players shall at all times conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. Swearing, sledging (see definition below), the display of disagreement by verbal comment or gestures with rulings and/or decisions and, any other conduct likely to be prejudicial to the good name of the sport and the interests of the SSJCA is totally unacceptable.

The Code as applied to others.

All officials, coaches, managers, club supporters, and others having membership of the SSJCA, attending matches organised by, or involving SSJCA Representation, shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Actions and behaviour likely to bring the SSJCA into disrepute or to tarnish the good name of cricket are totally unacceptable.

In addition, anyone entering the field of play at any time without the prior approval of the Umpire(s) controlling the match, except in the case of a medical or accident emergency requiring immediate response in the interests of player/umpire welfare, shall breach the Code of Conduct.

Club members attending matches as spectators who interfere with the conduct of matches, or with the work of club officials carrying out their duties at Association organised matches, or act in a manner detrimental to the good of the game, shall breach the Code of Conduct.

Club members who interfere with the responsibilities of SSJCA Management, or who through their actions, undermine the authority and functions of the SSJCA, shall breach the Code of Conduct. Actions of the nature described above may lead to disciplinary action.

What is Sledging?

For the purposes of the SSJCA Code of Conduct sledging is defined as, "The giving of comments, insults and /or gestures by a player of one team to another of the opposition team causing personal offence and distraction such as to detract from that player's ability to play the game."

• It would be expected that to constitute a cause for complaint any player so offended will request that such actions discontinue immediately and, failure by the offender to do so will, in turn, constitute a prima facie case of sledging.
• In this event the player affronted should report it immediately to the Umpire who may take action under Law 42. Following the day's play, the Player and/or the Umpire should also report the incident in writing through his/her club/organisation should either wish to make a complaint of a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Who can file a complaint and how?

Any Club member, official, player, umpire, or member of SSJCA Management may make a complaint.

A complaint must be lodged in writing through the Secretary of the SSJCA and received within seven days of the alleged occurrence. It shall state the nature of the allegation and all the circumstances relating to the matter. In instances of bad language leading to a complaint the Complainant must, in the process, be prepared to specify the words used and the context in which delivered.

A complaint arising out of a match and initiated by a Club official being part of that match must be submitted as an Incident report. An Incident report is deemed to comply with the requirement for lodging a complaint in writing.

Rules of the Code

In addition to above, a person to whom the code applies must not:

• Assault or attempt to assault an Umpire, another Player or Spectator; or
• Abuse, either orally or physically, an Umpire, another Player or Spectator; or
• Dispute, as distinct from question, an Umpire's decision, or react in an obviously provocative or disapproving manner towards an Umpire, his/her decisions, or generally following an Umpire's decision; or
• Use crude or abusive language or engage in any form of conduct likely to be against the spirit of the game or to bring the game into disrepute; or
• Use crude or abusive hand signals or other gestures; or
• Agree or attempt to obtain agreement between players and/or officials to produce a match result by methods such as unusual declarations, deliberate loss of wickets, or any other action that offends against the principles of fair play.

Refusal by a person to supply his/her full name and address (if any) upon request by a person eligible to lodge a complaint constitutes a Breach of the Code and may be dealt with in accordance with the provisions existing for all such matters.

Fundamentals of the Code of Conduct Processes.

No person accused of a breach of the code of conduct shall be denied natural justice in responding to any allegation of a breach.

The SSJCA Match Review Committee (hereafter the Committee) shall be the body responsible for assessing all reports and where it is clear to that Committee from an initial (prima facie) examination of the information reported that a breach has occurred it shall act on the matter immediately. In so doing it is empowered to determine a penalty where warranted.

Within the limits prescribed by the Constitution (Para 9.3) such penalty shall be limited to one or any number of the following: -

• Issue a warning or reprimand
• Require an apology (be it verbal or written)
• Impose a monetary penalty on the offender
• Suspend for a period determined by the Committee

Note: Failure by a person to comply with a penalty determined by the Committee will automatically mean that person shall take no further part in cricket activities until the penalty requirements have been satisfied.

The Committee upon being made aware of a complaint, being an allegation of a breach of the Code of Conduct, shall forthwith require the person alleged to have committed the breach to appear before it as soon as possible and prior to the commencement of the next round.

The Committee can only proceed to a decision if the offender pleads guilty. Should guilt be denied at the hearing then the matter must be referred to a Judiciary Committee. The Chairman of the Match Review Committee will then be responsible for advocating the case before the Judiciary. No disciplinary action can be taken against the alleged offender in the period pending a Judiciary hearing.

Upon a person pleading guilty to the allegation and a penalty determined, the Chairman of the Match Review Committee shall inform the Secretary of the offender's club of that penalty within 24 hours of the determination. It will be the responsibility of that person to ensure that the penalty is applied.

Upon referral to a Judiciary it is incumbent upon that body to immediately set and publicise a date for hearing (and that date shall be no later than three weeks after the date of the Review Committee hearing). It is the responsibility of the Chair of the Match Review Committee to draw up the charge(s). The gaining of statements from parties involved must be a priority matter and be in the hands of the Judiciary no later than three days prior to the hearing.