Well Played Australian Cricket’s Playing Policies and Guidelines Well Played is designed for volunteer coaches, officials and Disclaimer parents who need to administer Cricket to ensure This document is published by Cricket Australia for general it is safe, fun and inclusive for all Australians. information only. Although every effort is made to ensure that information in this document is accurate for general purposes only, Cricket Australia is not responsible for the Well Played will assist you to: continued accuracy of the information, the application of that information or for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies • Make cricket fun and inclusive for all; in any information contained in this document. The • Adopt appropriate codes of behaviour for all cricket participants; publication of information in this document does not constitute a representation or warranty either express or • Foster the spirit and etiquette of cricket; implied that the information has been approved or tested by Cricket Australia or that it is suitable for general or • Understand a child’s development particular use. Readers should exercise their own skill and • Implement appropriate game formats; care with respect to its use. Before relying on any information contained in this document, readers should carefully • Develop safety guidelines and principles evaluate the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness and relevance of the information, and should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. Cricket: A sport Cricket today is one of the most popular and highly participated sports in Australia. It is a sport loved and cherished around the world. Part of its popularity and appeal is the unique characteristics, Welcome traditions and values that define the game. Adopting the guidelines provided in ‘Well Played’ will go With Australia’s multicultural population increasing, a long way to ensuring that the quality and enjoyment it can no longer be taken for granted that cricket will of the cricket experience in Australia will continue to have an automatic place in the Australian culture. As grow and prosper. a leading global sport, cricket captivates and inspires people of every age, gender, cultural background and Well Played provides you with guidelines to implement ability while building bridges between continents, best practices in training and matches for players of all countries and communities. ages and abilities. Clubs and associations that create a welcoming Australian cricket has a vision to be Australia’s favourite environment for Australia’s diverse population will sport, and to achieve this vision, it must be a sport for often find that it will attract more members. all Australians - a sport that truly reflects Australia’s culturally diverse society by attracting new fans and Australian cricket has continued to improve its access players to the game. to a wide-range of non-traditional participants, including women, Indigenous communities, people Cricket has been an important part of the Australian of non-English speaking backgrounds and people culture and with our society in a constant state of with disabilities. This can range from disability teams change it is becoming increasingly more important that competing at an international level, or the Imparja Cup it welcomes everyone. About one in four Australians – a tournament for Indigenous Australians. were born overseas and at least 43.1% of people have at least one overseas-born parent. Well Played will allow you to: For your optimal learning experience Well Played is divided into the following " Have an understanding of all parts of the game; sections: " Adhere to training guidelines and best practice; The Game " Define pathways for players, coaches, umpires and volunteers; Codes of Behaviour " Identify safety and legal considerations. Player Pathways Coach, Umpire, Volunteer Pathways Safety and Legal Considerations 1 Well Played for all Australians Australian Cricket’s Playing Policies and Guidelines 2 This section addresses the following: " Fun and the benefits of physical activity " The Spirit of Cricket " Fair Play " Umpires – managing the match " Respect " Against the Spirit The Game " Encouraging good behaviour " Cricket Etiquette " Toss of the coin " Entering the playing field on commencement of play " During play " Leaving the field " 12th Player " Bowler's and fielder's ground markings " Acknowledgement of milestones " Support staff and spectators 3 Well Played Fun For cricket to maintain its health and position in the Australian way of life, the game needs to stay relevant, accessible and inclusive to all Australians. This is especially true at the introductory level, where that first experience of the game needs to be a positive one. The best way to create a lifelong cricket supporter is to first Benefits of Physical Activity create a player. in Children and Adolescents Fun is the major motivator for children to play sport. In surveys Cricket can provide many benefits for children and adolescents where youngsters are asked why they play sport, the number physically, socially and psychologically with the benefits of one reason is always the same - to have fun. Winning is on the cricket being transferable to many aspects of life, including but list but it is placed behind having fun. Children like to compete, not limited to: but it's the fun of competing, the excitement of competing, not PHYSICAL just the winning. " Improved fitness – lower resting heart rates, higher Junior coaches should not be measured on win-loss ratios oxygen capacity, muscle growth and bone density but rather on how many players wish to continue to play the " Decreased incidence of obesity and weight problems following season! SOCIAL Here are some ways to create fun learning environment: " Meeting a variety of new people " Get down to the children’s level and understand " Developing new friendship groups what they see as fun; " Working as part of a team " Don’t take yourself too seriously, get involved, " Development of responsibility don’t be afraid to fail; " Development of communication skills " Maintain a fun attitude with lots of laughter and a sense of humour; PSYCHOLOGICAL " Increased self esteem " Create training sessions that provide maximum activity, skill development and enjoyment; " Development of strategies to deal with mistakes and challenges " Treat all players equally; " Confidence " Encourage mistakes as a way of learning; " Concentration skills " Create opportunities for all skill and ability levels; What is it about sport that appeals to children " Be well planned, organised and resourced (equipment); as an attractive form of physical activity? " Avoid isolation-type punishments " Fun and belonging (laps around oval, pushups etc.); " Cooperative and competitive experiences " Praise in public. However, never criticise in front of their peers. " Established and consistent challenges " Develop a great sense of “community” & being part of a sporting culture. Opportunities for chronic involvement in sport/s offers potential for long-term health benefits. Australian Cricket’s Playing Policies and Guidelines 4 The Spirit of Cricket Australians are justifiably proud of the place sport has in their daily lives. However, what is equally important to all of us involved in cricket is the way the game is played and the manner in which all participants conduct themselves. The Game The ‘Spirit of Cricket’ is fostered by the values that you Fair Play (as a volunteer administrator, coach, teacher, parent, or According to the Laws of Cricket, umpires are the player) bring to your team, club, and the game itself. sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may Cricket can be a highly competitive game. intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the The Australian team leads by example by playing the captain or coach to take action where required. game hard but fair. The captain and coach are responsible at all times for However it is important to play within the Laws and the ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the spirit of the game. game and within the Laws. The following key elements provide a guide to help Captains, coaches and umpires together set the tone those involved in cricket to apply the spirit of the game for the conduct of a cricket match. and foster a healthy and effective development of the Every player is expected to make an important spirit within your cricket community. contribution to play the game in good spirit and fairness. Where a player fails to comply with the instructions of the umpire, the umpire concerned should, in the first place, report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain or coach, and instruct the captain or coach to take appropriate action. Examples of where a player fails to comply include: " Criticising by word or action the decisions of an umpire; " Showing dissent; or " Generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute. Cricket Australia recommends anyone involved in junior sport to complete the “Play by the Rules” course provided by the Australian Sports Commission here: www.playbytherules.net.au 5 Well Played Managing the match Against the spirit Umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of: It is against the spirit of the game to: " Time wasting; " Dispute an umpire’s decision by word, act or gesture; " Damaging the pitch; " Direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire; " Dangerous or unfair bowling; " Indulge in cheating, which may include: " Tampering with the ball; " Appealing when knowing the batter is not out; " Any other action that they consider to be unfair. " Advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing; " Respect Seeking to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise The spirit of the game involves respect for: under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s " Your opponents; own side. " Your captain, coach and team; " The role of the umpires; Encouraging good behaviour " The traditional values of cricket. Captains and coaches are encouraged to educate players on desirable behaviour.