Warwickshire County League

CLUB ACCREDITATION DOCUMENT

(IN COLLABORATION WITH BDPCL AND THE SHROPSHIRE, SOUTH STAFFS, WORCETERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUES)

Season 2019

Name of Club Name of Club Official Signature of Club Official Name of Auditor Signature of Auditor Name of Groundsman Date of Audit

Levels (L) of Standards

L 1 - applies to Clubs in Birmingham & District Premier League L 2 - applies to Clubs in WCCL Premier and ALL County Premier Leagues L 3 - applies to Clubs in WCCL Div 1 –9 Inclusive L 4 - applies to Clubs in WCCL Div 10 and below

M - MANDATORY O - OPTIONAL BUT DESIRABLE

INTRODUCTION

• The purpose of this document is to help clubs maintain and raise standards within the WCCL. This may be achieved by an audit using this document if deemed necessary by the WCCL Management Committee. In the BDPCL, clubs are audited on a rolling programme (once every four years). • Items in Section 4 are monitored by Umpires’/ Captains Reports in WCCL top 3 divisions. • In the absence of panel umpires, should any WCCL captain think that a ground fails to meet the standards required by the WCCL Club Standards document, he may report that on the standard format on the match report application. The Management Committee will then decide what action is required. • Clubs are encouraged to work towards the standards defined in this document. (See section 2 “Penalties for Non Compliance”).

1. AUDIT PROCEDURE

• Member Clubs will be audited as deemed necessary by the WCCL Management Committee. • An Officer of WCCL writes to the nominated delegate of a Club informing them that an audit will be carried out shortly and that they can expect to be contacted by an Auditor from WARWICKSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE. • The Auditor will contact the Secretary of the Club, directly, to arrange the date of the visit. • A minimum of two persons from the Club will be required to be present, during the audit, including a Senior Club Official and the Groundsman. Their names should be entered on the front of the Document • The Audit will be conducted, using the most recent version of this document. • Items in Sections 3abc, 6 and 7 should be answered “YES” or “NO” with explanatory notes, if necessary. • Items in Section 4 are monitored by Umpires’ or Captains Reports in WCCL via the online application. • In the interests of consistency, the current situation should be recorded. If an item or an improvement is coming shortly, “ NO” should be recorded with a note indicating "when" if it is relevant. • Any general or overall comments, which appear to be relevant (e.g. imminent ground move, major projects, issues with ownership of the ground, conflicts over ground usage in multi-sports clubs) should be added in the space provided at the end of the document. • When completed, the front page and the declaration at the end of the document should be signed by the Club Official and returned to the Administrator or Chairman of the WCCL by the Auditor.

2. PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

• Promotion within the WCCL will only be confirmed if all mandatory (M) items for the higher division, as listed in this Club Standards Document, are in place BY THE END OF THE SEASON IN WHICH PROMOTION IS ACHIEVED. Any club, whose current facilities would debar them from promotion to a higher division, will be notified and made aware of the deficiencies and the improvements required to be eligible for promotion. • Correspondingly, all clubs must maintain the mandatory requirements ( including “Clubmark” re- accreditation ) of their respective divisions or they will be relegated and replaced by the highest ranking club in the league which has these requirements. • Clubs relegated from the BDPCL to the WCCL without Clubmark accreditation will be placed in the highest division of the WCCL which permits clubs to play without Clubmark • Member Clubs will be audited as deemed necessary and if, after an inspection of its facilities, it is felt that the Club does not meet the standards required for their current Division, the Chairman and Delegate of the Club must sign a declaration and undertaking, on behalf of the Club, agreeing to remedy the deficiencies found • during the visit within the time scales agreed. • In all cases, the WCCL Management Committee reserves the right to determine the divisions in which clubs will play.

• CLUBS IN PREMIER DIVISION OF THE WCCL, who are seeking promotion to the BDPCL, should check that their Club Standards meet the requirements of the current BDPCL Club Accreditation Document (Level 1 in this document)

3. GROUND REQUIREMENTS AT AUDIT 3a. GROUND AVAILABILITY AT AUDIT L1 L2 L3 L4 Notes

1 The Club's main audited ground and clubhouse must be M M M M available for WCCL/BDPCL matches on all scheduled fixture dates (see section 5 for dispensations)

3b. GROUND REQUIREMENTS AT AUDIT

L1 L2 L3 L4 Notes

2 Ground staff must be available for a minimum of 20 M M M O hours per week during the season 3 Minimum distance from the CENTRE OF THE PITCH M M O O Unless dispensation TO ANY to be 45 yards is agreed by league 4 Minimum of 10 grass pitches on the square with minimum M M O O Number compliant of 7 compliant with 45 yard boundary requirement 5 Boundary clearly marked by a fence or a line with flag M M M M markers approx.20 yards apart or a substantial rope. 6 Two non -reflective sight screens (covering a minimum M O/M O O 2019: “M” in width of 24ft in BDPCL), at both ends of the ground, BDPCL: “O” in positioned before play and roped off if within playing WCCL. area. 2020: “M” in WCCL 7 Sight Screen, or equivalent, fit for purpose, at both ends - M O See NOTE 1 below of the ground, standing outside the playing area 8 Electronic or manual scorebox/scoreboard, in working M M M O order, showing total, wickets, individual score of each (DL) (DL) batsman, overs bowled, first innings total, last man’s score, side (home/away), and provision of DL par score at end of each over in 2 nd innings of Win/Lose matches 9 Separate area to accommodate two scorers either as an M M O O integral part of the scorebox or as a separate area (room) away from the scorebox/scoreboard with capacity to update the score either electronically or manually; with an unobstructed view of the playing area; clean and tidy with sufficient space for two seated scorers, two laptops and a printer 10 Power supply to scorebox to enable scoring on laptops M M O O 11 Wi-Fi available in scorebox to enable live scoring M M O O 12 Scorebox/Scoreboard indicating as a minimum: Total - - M M Runs, Wickets, Overs bowled and score of side batting first. (Batsmen’s runs optional) 13 Ground surrounds must be well maintained and suitable M M M M measures in place to ensure that lost balls cause minimum delay. 14 A large accurate working clock that is clearly visible to M M M O everyone on the field of play 15 A bell to allow umpires to signal start and resumption of M M O O play 16 Full roll-on covers in good condition, must be provided M - - - See note 3 below for the match pitch 17 As a minimum, full-length roll-on covers or sheet - M M O covering in good condition must be provided for the match pitch 18 Sheet covers for bowlers’ run-ups (10 yards minimum) at M M O O each end 19 Sheet covers for pitches immediately beside the match M M O O pitch (both sides) 20 Heavy roller (min 1500 kilos) in working order, for M M M O See also 64 and preparation of pitches and possible use during matches Note 4 below 21 Light roller (250-500 kilos) in working order, for M M M O See also 63 and preparation of pitches and use during matches Note 4 below 22 Pitch mower in working order M M O O 23 Square mower in working order M M O O 24 Outfield mower: (ownership of/access to?) M M M M 25 Scarifier and Spiker/aerator: (ownership of/access to?) M M M O 26 Ground drying equipment available before and during M M M O match – sawdust, cloths, mats for “used ends” etc. 27 Water-hog (hand version or better) in working order M M O O available before and during matches 28 Minimum of 2 net lanes (grass and/or hard) must be M M O O provided prior to the game for practice. 29 Grass/ artificial practice nets must be in good condition M M O O with true and predictable bounce

3C CLUBHOUSE REQUIREMENTS AT AUDIT Every effort should be made to ensure that there is disabled access to all areas of the ground and clubhouse including the scorebox Notes L1 L2 L3 L4 30 Separate, lockable, clean and tidy changing rooms for M M M O each team. Each room to have a mirror and, at least, one hook per player for clothes. Sufficient seating for a minimum of 12 players and coach 31 Separate, lockable, clean and tidy changing room for M M M O umpires. The room to have a mirror and at least 2 hooks per official for clothes. 32 Clean and hygienic showers adequate for purpose and M M M O in working order for players and umpires 33 Clean and tidy kitchen that meets all legal health and M M M O See NOTE 2 below safety requirements. Certification to be on display 34 A clean and tidy meals area to accommodate players, M M M M umpires and scorers for tea breaks. 35 Social area or room available during and after match. M M M O (Consideration for disabled guests, scorers etc.) 36 Social area to include operational bar available during M O O O and after match 37 Separate tea table MUST be laid for umpires and M M M O scorers who should not be expected to queue 38 Clean and hygienic male and female toilets. M M M M (Consideration for disabled guests, scorers etc.) 39 Fully stocked, up to date, first-aid box for treatment of M M M M minor injuries. Accessible and clearly signposted. An Accident Book available to record any injuries. 40 Adequate, sheltered, seated viewing area for players M M M O 41 Adequate car parking for players, officials and M M M M spectators either in or adjacent to ground 42 Telephone (Could be a dedicated club mobile phone) M M M M 43 Provision of a Defibrillator (from 2019 in BDPCL) M O O O

NOTE 1: If inside, an area must be marked off within which screen(s) can move without changing the boundary

NOTE 2: An Auditor can only report on the clean and tidy nature of the kitchen. It is the responsibility of the club to obtain any certification which may be required by their local authority.

4. MATCHDAY QUALITY ISSUES

Monitored by Umpires’ and Captains’ Reports in L1 L2 L3 L4 BDPCL and in WCCL Notes

44 Pitch must not be watered artificially within 48 hours M M M M of the start of the match 45 Pitches should be covered from 6pm on Thursday M M M O League Cricket may be before a Saturday match played as long as covers are replaced 46 Pitches offer true and predictable bounce with no M M M M excessive movement off the seam or spin 47 Pitches correctly marked, re-marked and, if required M M M O rolled during the interval between innings, 48 Square cut for matches, in good condition, with M M M M previously used pitches repaired 49 Outfield mown close with no noticeable grass M M M O cuttings, weeds, ruts, holes or hazards 50 Fielding circles to be indicated as per the playing M M M O conditions 51 Boundary clearly marked by a fence or a line with flag M M M M markers approx.20 yards apart or a substantial rope 52 Ground surrounds well maintained and measures in M M M M place to ensure that lost balls cause minimum delay. 53 Minimum of 2 net lanes (grass and/or hard) must be M M O O provided prior to the game 54 Grass/ artificial practice nets must be in good M M O O condition with true and predictable bounce 55 Sight screens fit for purpose, positioned before play M M M O See 6, 7 and NOTE 1 above and roped off, if within playing area 56 Scorebox, working, clean and tidy with sufficient M M O O space for 2 seated scorers two laptops and a printer 57 Scoreboard/Scorebox indicating as a minimum: Total - - M M Runs, Wickets, Overs bowled and score of side batting first.(Batsmen’s runs optional) 58 Full roll-on covers must be provided for the match M O O O See NOTE 3 below pitch 59 Full-length roll-on covers or sheet covering must be - M M O See NOTE 3 below provided for the match pitch 60 Sheet covers for use on bowlers’ run-ups (10 yards M M O O minimum) and alongside match pitch 61 Ground drying equipment available before and M M M O during matches 62 Water-hog (hand version or better) in working order M M M O available before and during match 63 A Light roller to be available during matches M M M O See NOTE 4 below 64 A heavy roller (min 1500 kilos) for possible use M M O O See NOTE 4 below during matches. 65 A large accurate working clock that is clearly visible to M M O O everyone on the field of play 66 Bell to allow umpires to signal start and resumption of M M O O play. 67 Separate, secure, clean and tidy changing rooms for M M M M each team including mirror and one hook per person 68 Separate, secure, clean and tidy changing rooms for M M M O umpires including mirror and one hook per person 69 Umpires attendance fees to be paid before start of M M M M match 70 Separate tea table MUST be laid for umpires and M M M O scorers who should not be expected to queue

NOTE 3: Roll on covers are to be encouraged to allow better drying and reduced “sweating”. It is appreciated that this type of cover may be inappropriate on some squares – slopes etc. Clubs should apply to the league for this dispensation giving reasons for the application

NOTE 4: Although it is desirable to have a heavy roller available during matches, this may not always be possible due to a lack of insurance cover, the lack of a suitable driver, contract hire etc. Rollers available on a match day should be confirmed with the Captains and Umpires prior to the toss

5. DISPENSATIONS FOR CLUBS UNABLE TO MEET GROUND AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

(Applies to both WCCL and BDPCL)

ECB has requested leagues to put the following arrangements in place to handle situations where clubs are unable to meet the requirement to have their ground available on all designated days during the season:-

1. If a member club is unable to use its home ground on one or more of the dates designated by the WCCL Management Committee (MC) or BDPCL Management Board (MB), the club must apply to the MC (MB), before the start of the season in question, for dispensation to move their 2 nd XI fixture to another ground.

2. This other ground must meet the Ground and Facilities criteria laid down by the MC (MB), from time to time, and must have been identified to the MC (MB), sufficiently early, to allow the MC (MB) to arrange for the ground to be audited on the same basis as applies to a club’s home ground.

3. The ground must be located within the geographical area covered by the league at the time and should, ideally, be in reasonable proximity to the club’s home ground.

4. If dispensation is granted, the second ground will be treated, for the purposes of any sanctions that may be imposed, for failure to meet the Ground and Facilities criteria, as if it were the home ground of the club.

5. The MC (MB) will schedule fixtures to ensure that the 1 st XI of the club, applying for dispensation, has an away fixture on that day.

6. All fixtures must be played on the designated dates set by the MC (MB).

For clubs in the Premier Division of WCCL;

1. Clubs must inform the WCCL MC that, if promoted, they will be unable to meet the requirements of the BDPCL in terms of ground availability as laid out above. This must be done in writing before the start of the season.

2. Any such club must notify the BDPCL in writing that their home ground is not available on all the dates designated by the BDPCL Management Board (MB) and of the arrangements which they would put in place to stage match(es) on an alternative ground. This must be done so as to allow MB to conduct an audit of the second ground, during the current season. In normal circumstances this audit should be conducted at the same time as the club’s home ground is audited.

3. BDPCL must inform the club, in writing, of the results of the audit and either confirm that dispensation will be granted if the club wins promotion and the second ground continues to meet the Ground and Facilities criteria, or advise the club that dispensation will not be granted. If dispensation is not granted, BDPCL should make reasonable efforts to consider any alternative proposals submitted by the club.

As a general rule, clubs will not receive a dispensation for more than two fixtures in any season, although WCCL and BDPCL reserve the right to consider individual situations on their merits.

6. ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

L1 L2 L3 L4 Notes 71 Clubs must be Clubmark accredited M M O O See NOTE 5 below

72 Clubs without Clubmark accreditation, relegated from the - - - - BDPCL to the WCCL will be placed in the highest division which permits clubs to play without Clubmark. 73 All fixtures must be played on the designated dates and M M M M grounds set by the WCCL/BDPCL. 74 Clubs must run a 2nd XI M M O O 75 Clubs must run a 3rd XI in an accredited league in the M M O O season promotion is achieved 76 Every Club must have an ECB accredited Club Welfare M M M M Name: Officer whose valid 3 year certificate is displayed in the clubhouse. (Please name) 77 Captains of all teams must have a current DBS M M M M certificate 78 Clubs must provide a non-playing scorer for all matches M M O O 79 Clubs annual subscription to BDPCL/WCCL must be M M M M paid before the first League fixture of the current season. (Clubs who have not paid by that date will not be credited with any points during the period that the fee remains unpaid and the points will not be re-instated) 80 Clubs must affiliate to the County Cricket Board with M M M M responsibility for the club. Clubs, who have not paid their affiliation by the due date identified by the appropriate County Cricket Board, will not be credited with any points during the period that the fee remains unpaid and the points will not be re-instated 81 Clubs must comply with all BDPCL or WCCL M M M M administrative and playing procedures (e.g. attendance at meetings, submission of match reports, result reporting procedures etc.) 82 Clubs must comply with all BDPCL /WCCL M M O O scoring/playing procedures (e.g. participation in electronic scoring, Play-Cricket Scorer Pro Live Scores, DLS (DL), adherence to the result reporting protocols and the submission of on-line captains’ reports) 83 Clubs regaining BDPCL or WCCL status who had M M M M previously contravened regulations must provide a written undertaking that there will be no recurrence. 84 In line with ECB guidelines there needs to be a minimum M M M O of £10m employer’s and £5m public liability insurance in place.

85 Either the club or individual groundstaff must be a O O O O member of an appropriate County Groundsmen’s Association

NOTE 5: CLUBMARK accreditation or re-accreditation must be confirmed by the appropriate County Cricket Board BEFORE THE END OF A SEASON IN WHICH A CLUB ACHIEVES PROMOTION to avoid refusal. Reviews should be completed before the end of a season. Clubs without Clubmark accreditation should be aware that this process can take up to 6 months to complete.

7. JUNIOR CRICKET REQUIREMENTS

L1 L2 L3 L4 Notes

86 Clubs must have “Clubmark” accreditation” M M M O By the end of the season in which they achieve promotion. 87 BDPCL/WCCL Premier League clubs must run Junior M M O O In the season in which programmes at “Allstars”, Softball, U11, U13 and U15 they achieve promotion age groups. (last 3 in a recognised league competition) 88 WCCL Division 1 to 9 clubs must run at least three - - O O In the season in which Junior programmes(one of which must be U13 or above they achieve promotion in a recognised league competition) 89 Clubs must adhere to the ECB Fast Directives M M M M See Appendices 1, 2, 3 for young fast bowlers, guidance on helmets for young and 7 in WCCL players, guidance for junior players in open age cricket handbook/constitution and fielding regulations for young players

TEAMS YES NO Notes Under 19 T20 blast Under 17 Team Under 15 Team Under 13 Team Under 11 Team Women’s Team Girls’ Team Softball cricket All Stars Cricket Other

8. TENURE

 Tenure Details if required Club Owned Leasehold with years remaining Rental agreement with years remaining Other arrangement… please give detail

9. ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

DECLARATION

I, the undersigned Official of ______Cricket Club, agree, on behalf of that Club, to the following important principles and behaviors relating to the Warwickshire County League:-

The Club understands and fully supports the Constitution of the Warwickshire County League.

The Club understands that the accreditation of Ground & Facilities and Youth Development is assessed and certified by a member of the Management Committee, according to the Level of Standards set by the WCCL in this document

The Club accepts that failure to meet the mandatory requirements listed in the Club Standards Document may ultimately result in relegation to the next lowest Division.

The Club understands the process and time table for collecting the information required to assess the current accreditation status of all Clubs.

The Club accepts that failure to supply accurate information, when required, could jeopardise the Club's current accreditation status.

The Club accepts that the decisions of the WCCL Management Committee are final and binding following the Club’s right of appeal.

The Club undertakes not to publish through the media, including the Internet, derogatory comments about the League, its Officers and Committee, Umpires, Scorers, other Clubs and Players.

The Club accepts that it has the responsibility to meet any Health and Safety or Food Standards requirements placed upon its premises by the Local Authority.

The Club will ensure that appropriate Public Liability Insurance (covering a liability up to £10m) is in place and a copy of the current Insurance Certificate is displayed in the Clubhouse.

Name: ______

Position in Club: ______

Signature: ______

Date: ______