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Blythe Cricket Club – Disciplinary Policy

​Purpose

Blythe Cricket Club (the “Club”) is committed to maintaining high standards of conduct, integrity, and respect both on and off the field. This policy sets out the procedures for dealing with alleged breaches of the Club’s Codes of Conduct, policies, or ECB regulations.

The purpose is to:

  • Protect players, parents, coaches, volunteers, and the Club’s reputation.

  • Ensure a fair, transparent, and consistent process.

  • Support the ECB’s Safe Hands safeguarding framework.

 

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All adult players, junior players, parents, guardians, volunteers, coaches, officials, and committee members representing the Club.

  • Any conduct at Club activities, matches, training, social events, or online platforms (including social media).

 

Principles

  • Fairness: Every member has the right to be heard and treated without bias.

  • Proportionality: Sanctions will match the seriousness of the behaviour.

  • Transparency: Procedures will be communicated clearly and consistently.

  • Safeguarding priority: Concerns relating to children will always be referred to the Club Safeguarding Officer (CSO) and, if necessary, to the County Safeguarding Officer/ECB.

 

Types of Misconduct

Minor Misconduct

Handled informally in the first instance by captain, coach, or committee member. Examples include:

  • Poor timekeeping.

  • Low-level disrespect to teammates/opponents/officials.

  • Failure to follow selection or availability processes.

  • Neglect of kit, equipment, or facilities.

 

Serious Misconduct

Requires formal disciplinary procedure. Examples include:

  • Abusive, threatening, or discriminatory behaviour.

  • Repeated breaches of Codes of Conduct.

  • Deliberate disregard of safety or safeguarding rules.

  • Misuse of drugs, alcohol, or banned substances at Club activities.

  • Breach of safeguarding or ECB Anti-Discrimination Code.

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Procedures

Step 1: Reporting

  • Any complaint or incident must be reported promptly to the Club Safeguarding Officer or Deputy Safeguarding Officer.

  • Complaints may be submitted verbally or in writing, written is preferred for formal action.

  • Safeguarding issues will be referred immediately to the CSO and may bypass Club procedures if escalated to County/ECB or statutory authorities.

Step 2: Initial Review

  • The Club Safeguarding Officer (or Deputy if conflict of interest) will decide if the issue is:

  1. Minor → informal warning/captain’s action.

  2. Serious → refer to the Disciplinary Panel.

Step 3: Disciplinary Panel

  • Composed of three committee members (minimum) independent of the incident.

  • Must include at least one Executive Committee Member and two other committee members.

  • Cannot include anyone directly involved in the incident.

Step 4: Hearing

  • The member will be informed in writing of the allegation and invited to attend a hearing within 14 days.

  • The member may be accompanied by a friend/representative (not a legal representative unless agreed).

  • Both sides will present evidence, the Panel may call witnesses if required.

  • The Panel will deliberate privately and decide on outcome and sanction.

Step 5: Outcome & Sanctions

The Panel may:

  • Dismiss the complaint.

  • Issue an informal or formal written warning.

  • Suspend the member for a fixed period (training, matches, or social activities).

  • Exclude the member from specific roles (e.g., captaincy, coaching).

  • Terminate membership (reserved for severe or repeated misconduct).

The decision will be confirmed in writing within 7 days.

Step 6: Appeals

  • The member has 7 days to appeal in writing to the Club Secretary.

  • An Appeals Panel (different from the original Panel) will hear the appeal within 21 days.

  • The Appeals Panel decision is final within the Club.

 

Safeguarding-Specific Cases

  • Where allegations involve children, the CSO must be informed immediately.

  • The CSO will liaise with the County Safeguarding Officer/ECB and statutory agencies.

  • In such cases, the disciplinary process may be paused until external processes are complete.

 

Confidentiality

  • All proceedings are confidential.

  • Records will be held securely by the Club Secretary for a minimum of 3 years.

 

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Executive Committee and updated in line with ECB guidance.

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