Code of Conduct and the “Spirit of Cricket”
Code of Conduct
1. The West Yorkshire Women and Girls’ (WYWG) Development Group and the WYWG Cricket League is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. It applies to all matches or festivals at every age group played under the auspices of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and may be applied to cricket in general.

2. At senior level the captains are responsible, at all times, for ensuring play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket. At a junior level this responsibility sits with the appointed qualified coach on the day.

3. Players and team officials must accept the umpires’ decision. Players must not show dissent at any decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player, umpire or spectator.

4. Players, Team or match officials shall not intimidate, harass, assault, or attempt to intimidate, harass or assault a match official, another player or spectator.

5. Players or Match officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language nor make offensive gestures or hand signals or deliberately distract opponents or match officials.

6. Players or Match officials shall not make any abusive comments based on Age, Race, Gender or Gender Re-assignment, Sexual Orientation, body shape, Religion or belief, pregnancy or maternity and marriage of civil partnerships. The WYWG Development Group and Cricket League has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY to any discriminatory remarks or comments. Instances of such abuse will be investigated, and disciplinary action taken should it be deemed necessary.

7. Clubs must operate an open-door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of background or origin.

8. Players and Match Officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use of/or distribution of illegal and illicit drugs/substances.

9. Players and Match Officials should not be permitted to play/officiate any game whilst under the influence of/or partaking in, the consumption of alcohol.

10. Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of its members, both on and off the field of play. Any club found to be in systemic breach of this code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not restricted to, points deductions or competition bans.

Spirit of Cricket
11. Cricket is a game that should not only be played within the laws but also within the Spirit of the Game itself. Any action which is seen to abuse the spirit causes injury to the game entire.

12. In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising their decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner to bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire (if applicable) and captain (coach – at a junior level) of the offending player requesting them to take action. Future indiscretions and/or the severity of the first instance may lead the umpire to write to the Development Group or League to commence disciplinary action.

Fair and Unfair Play
13. The umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time where they see fit (pursuant to The Laws of Cricket - Law 42 – please refer to player conduct).

Statement
14. The WYWG Development Group and WYWG Cricket League adopts the ECB model discipline regulations and guidance when dealing with disciplinary matters and how it manages fair play and the Spirit of the Game.

15. The WYWG Development Group and League are in their infancy but have a steadfast resolve to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusivity will be at the heart of all we do.

16. Any form of abuse, either physical or mental of any player, official or spectator will NOT BE TOLERATED and reported instances will be investigated thoroughly.

17. All clubs are asked to ensure that this policy is cascaded to all players, club members and officials. Ignorance will not be classed as a viable excuse for behaviour deemed to breach these guidelines.

Umpiring Guidance for Women and Girls’ Cricket
The West Yorkshire Women and Girls’ Development Group and Cricket League have a zero-tolerance policy for poor behaviours in the women and girls’ game. This guide has been drafted to support umpires at both hard and softball level in administering and officiating the game.

The Spirit of the Game
1. Any poor behaviour on the field will be immediately addressed. Sledging is not in the spirit of the game and should not be encouraged or tolerated. Any negative comments should be dealt with immediately and umpiring colleague and captains / coaches informed if the behaviour persists.

2. Any personal comments /aggressive or intimidatory behaviour should be instantly addressed and stopped and a warning issued around future conduct to the player/s concerned, other umpire and both captains. Where such behaviour has occurred and a reprimand issued, the umpire should inform the WYWGCL Secretary in writing, no more than 48 hours after the game has ended and document the incident in question.

3. Umpires should feel confident at both hardball and softball level that they are the sole arbiters of fair play in any match and can act accordingly with a rounded view or fairness and transparency.

4. Any abuse directed from any part of the ground (not including the playing area) should also be addressed immediately and the home captain informed. Continual abuse or comment can result in the match being abandoned and/or forfeited. Issues not heard by the umpire but reported to him/her, should form part of the report to the League/Development Secretary.

The Laws of the Game
5. When officiating softball matches umpires should be mindful of abilities and the developmental nature of the sport. As such, when trying to bowl overarm some players may be seen to be “throwing” the ball. If the delivery provides the batter the opportunity to hit the ball and it is also not deemed to be dangerous or gaining an unfair advantage, umpires are asked to not call no ball, but refer to the captain after the game as a training need. In cases where a dangerous delivery is bowled and / or the ball is deemed unplayable where the bowler’s action is a clear throw, then a no ball should be called. If the offending player continues to bowl dangerous or unplayable deliveries, the bowler will be asked to complete the over underarm.

6. Some bowlers may be unable to reach the striker with a legal overarm delivery due to the stage of their development. In these cases, players can be allowed (as in junior cricket) to break the popping crease line and bowl closer to the batter. Umpires should take a judgement on how far this will be forward of the line to support the legality of the delivery.

7. Umpires should always encourage players from both teams and also act as an educator should players fall foul of other laws, with the express intent of improving understanding of the game. They should however remain neutral and not play an active role which can influence the outcome of the game.