Governance

PSCC’s Code of Conduct adopts and expands upon the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Code of Conduct

The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct and so are PSCC. The Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB, played by PSCC and may be applied to cricket in general.

Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.
Players and Team Officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the Umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards an Umpire at any time.
Players and Team Officials shall not intimidate, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an Umpire, another player or a Spectator.
Players and Team Officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as “sledging”) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
Players and Team Officials shall not make discriminatory or abusive comments nor indulge in discriminatory or abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or age.
Players and Team Officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and Umpires.
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action, which is seen to abuse this spirit, causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the two Captains.

Responsibility of Captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Players’ Conduct

In the event that any player failing to comply with the instructions of the Umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the Umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other Umpire and to the player’s Captain requesting the latter to take action.

Fair and Unfair Play

According to the Laws, the Umpires are the sole judges of Fair and Unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the Captain to take action when required. The umpires are authorised to intervene in the cases of: time wasting, damaging the pitch, tampering with the ball, or any action that they consider to be unfair.

Spirit of the Game

The Spirit of the Game involves respect for your opponents, your own captain and team, the role of the umpires and the game’s traditional values. It is against the Spirit of the Game to –

(a) dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture;

(b) direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire;

(c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.

At the same time you should not in any way denigrate or attempt to demean your own players, support your own team unfailingly, avoid indulging in cliquish or other behaviour which excludes other members of your team or in any way act contrary to the best interests of PSCC.

You should ensure that you arrive on time for matches, do not leave early unless by prior arrangement with your captain, are available to assist with umpiring, scoring and other activities during the day’s play, take your turn at pitch preparation, teas, village hall duties as and when required and make every effort to attend training and meetings outside of match days.

Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

Players

Captains and Umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match and every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

Penn Street Cricket Club Constitution

(Governance Document)

NAME

The club shall be known as “Penn Street Cricket Club” (hereafter “PSCC” or “the Club”).
The Club shall operate as an unincorporated association, on a not-for-profit basis and for the public benefit.

OBJECTS

3. The objects of the Club are:

a. to encourage the playing of the game of cricket through the provision of practice and playing facilities, coaching and fixtures for all playing members including juniors, women and people with disabilities;

b. to ensure all members, playing and non-playing, conform to the Laws of the Game and Codes of Conduct;

c. to encourage members of all categories to participate in the life of the Club through playing, social and fund-raising activities and general management; and

d. to take any other action which may be considered beneficial to members and to the game of cricket.

MEMBERSHIP

Conditions of Admission

4. Membership of the Club shall be open to all persons subject to the payment of the annual subscription or otherwise at the discretion of the Management Committee.

Suspension, Expulsion and Appeal

5. The Management Committee may deny admittance to any person or suspend or expel any member of the Club (i) who has failed to pay subscription monies due to the Club in a timely fashion or (ii) on resolving that such denial of admittance or suspension or expulsion is in the best interests of the Club.

6. In the event any current member in suspended or expelled in accordance with paragraph 5, that member may request to the Management Committee that an appeal hearing be held with:

a. such “appeal board” shall be constituted by no less than three persons appointed by the Management Committee provided (i) no more than one member of such appeal board may be from the Management Committee and (ii) such other persons appointed to the appeal board need not be current members of the Club;

b. a member may ask to be represented at that appeal board by any other member and may produce witnesses in support of such appeal;

and the appeal board shall have the right to lift any suspension or expulsion or otherwise confirm the same and the appeal board’s decision shall be binding on all relevant parties.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

7. The Management Committee shall comprise: (i) the President; (ii) the Chairperson; (iii) the Captain; (iv) the Secretary and (v) the Treasurer.

8. Certain of the duties, roles and responsibilities of members of the Management Committee are as set out in Appendix to this Constitution.

Appointment and Removal

9. Any member of the Management Committee may be appointed or removed by:

a. a written resolution signed by the President, Chairperson and Captain for the time being; or

b. a written resolution signed by not less than 2/3rds of the then members of the Management Committee (with, for the avoidance of doubt, such calculation to exclude any member whose removal is under consideration); or

c. by a resolution of members at a general meeting.

Day to Day Management and Decision Making

10. The Management Committee shall be responsible for the day to day management of the club and shall have authority to deal with all aspects of the management and operation of the Club in furtherance of the Objects.

11. The Management Committee may delegate to any member of that committee or such other person (including non-members) or sub-committees as they think fit any function of the Management Committee. In particular the Management Committee shall ensure that an appropriately qualified person is appointed as the Club’s “Club Safeguarding Officer” with such responsibilities as are set out in the Appendix.

12. The Management Committee shall meet so often and as such times as it sees fit:

a. provided that reasonable notice of any meeting shall be given to all members of the Management Committee;

b. a meeting of the Management Committee shall only be quorate provided more than half of the current members of the Management Committee are in attendance;

c. any resolutions of the Management Committee shall be taken either:

i. by a simple majority of those in attendance at a quorate meeting of the Management Committee;

ii. by written agreement (which may be by email and need not be at a meeting) where not less than 2/3rds of the Management Committee are agreed on any particular course of action.

GENERAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

The Holding of Meetings

13. The Club shall hold:

a. a pre-season general meeting no less than two weeks prior to the first scheduled game of the playing season; and

b. its Annual General Meeting (AGM) following the conclusion of the playing season in that year (and in any event by no later than 31^st October).

14. Unless otherwise resolved by the Management Committee the following matters shall be considered at the AGM:

a. Annual Report (as delivered by the Chairperson)

b. Statement of Accounts and Treasurer’s Report

c. The election or re-election of the (i) President, (ii) Chairperson (iii) Captain; (iv) Vice-Captains; (v) Secretary; (vi) Treasurer as well as such other posts with management responsibilities within the Club as the Management Committee sees fit

d. Report of the Club Safeguarding Officer

e. The setting of the annual subscription rates

f. Other business notified to the Secretary or recommended by the Management Committee.

15. An extraordinary meeting of all members may be called at any time:

a. by a resolution of the Management Committee;

b. by a written requisition delivered to the Secretary signed by not less than 8 members.

16. Members shall be given reasonable notice of any general meeting of members so that they may attend such meeting. Any Member may by notice in writing to the Secretary ask that any item be added to the agenda for discussion at any meeting of Members.

17. No general meeting of members shall be quorate unless 8 (eight) “eligible” members are in attendance at such meeting. For the purposes of this paragraph 14, “eligible” shall mean those members who are over the age of 18 and whose annual subscription fees are up to date.

Voting at a General Meeting

18. Any decisions to be taken at a general meeting shall be taken by a simple majority on a show of hands of all those eligible members in attendance at that general meeting provided:

a. the Management Committee may direct that any particular decision referred to members generally be taken by way of secret ballot;

b. where under this Constitution, a special resolution is required, such motion shall require the support of no less than 2/3^rd of those eligible members in attendance at the relevant meeting to vote in favour of such motion to pass.

Powers reserved to general membership

19. Notwithstanding the general powers of the management of the club delegated to the Management Committee under paragraph 10 above the following matters shall be reserved for decision by the members generally:

a. any decision to wind up the Club;

b. any decision to change the legal structure of the Club; and

c. any decision to change this Constitution

STRATEGIC FUND

20. The Club shall, so far as it is reasonably able to do so, maintain a strategic fund of £10,000 (or such greater amount as the Management Committee from time to time decide). It is acknowledged that the purpose of such fund is to protect the future financial stability of the Club and to enable the Club to develop strategically if attractive opportunities present themselves. The fund may also be used to deal with any unforeseen financial emergencies that arise beyond the Club’s day to day ongoing financial requirements. To make a payment from the fund, two signatures are necessary for approval purposes, the signatures of both the President and the Chairperson in office for the time being. If a payment is made from the fund, the Management Committee shall take reasonable steps to replenish the fund from any excess income received by the Club beyond its working capital requirements.

FINANCIAL YEAR

21. The Club’s Financial Year shall run from 1 January to 31 December

WINDING UP

22. Any decision to wind up the Club may only be taken by a special resolution of members in attendance at a quorate general meeting of members.

23. Following a decision to wind up the Club, the Management Committee shall be responsible for winding up the Club’s affairs in an orderly manner.

24. After settling all liabilities of the Club, all remaining assets shall be disposed of to such other club or organisation as the Management Committee sees fit and which they believe has Objects similar to the Club.

Appendix – Roles and Responsibilities

The Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation of and (where relevant) distribution of all correspondence, notices and agendas for meetings of members, the Management Committee or any sub-committee.

The Secretary shall also prepare minutes of all such meetings which shall be presented for approval at the next relevant meeting of that body.

The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters relating to the Club including monitoring receipt of funds by the Club, outgoing payments, banking arrangements and the production of the yearly Statement of Accounts.

The Treasurer shall ensure all cheques issued by the Club are signed by two of the following officers: (i) President (ii) Chairperson; (iii) Secretary; and (iv) Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall ensure the agreed insurance policy is taken out and the premiums payable thereunder kept up to date.

The Club Safeguarding Office

The Club Safeguarding Officer shall be responsible for:

Developing the Club’s Safeguarding Policy;
Overseeing that the Club and its members follow the requirements of the ECB’s “Safe Hands Policy”;
Ensuring that the Captain, any coach working with junior members and other members working with junior members or children or vulnerable adults (adults at risk) within the context of the Club activities have appropriate training and have been appropriately vetted for working with children and vulnerable adults (adults at risk); and
Ensuring parents of children participating in club activities are aware of the Club’s Safeguarding Policy.

Penn Street Cricket Club Constitution

Thanks for your message!