The Club’s main objective in playing Junior matches is that the children have fun and develop a passion for the sport that we all love. Many of the Junior matches are competitive and naturally there will be a desire from players and parents to try to win the match, but everyone needs to understand that there is a context.

We want our Junior players to give 100% in trying to do the best they can to help their team win, but getting children to understand the Spirit of Cricket and what that entails is vitally important. We are determined that our teams will show exemplary behaviour on the pitch, particularly towards opponents. Positive encouragement is welcome but nothing that refers to opposition players, so calls such "Edgy-edgy batsmen" and "Easy wicket here", sledging, running out the batter at the non-striker’s end without bowling the ball other unsporting behaviour, will be tolerated and if done persistently will result in the player not being selected for future matches. We will reenforce this message, but would ask that parents please help us in ensuring that all players understand.

These are the key points:
• Opponents should be treated with courtesy and respect; applaud their good play as well as that of your own team.
• Spectators should encourage batters, bowlers and fielders but please keep this within reasonable bounds.
• The MJCA U9 rules allow coaching during matches but this should be limited to umpires and match managers and not other parents.
• Only fielders in a good position to see what happened should appeal. It can be counterproductive to keep appealing or to ‘over’ appeal!
• Never show dissent or question an umpire’s decision.
• Never make offensive comments or any gestures to an opponent. When a batter has been dismissed, there is no need to send him or her on their way with any gestures and comments, other than ‘well played’.
• Discriminatory behavior and personal insults, including sledging, is not acceptable at any time.
• Celebrate successes by all means but do not be excessive.
• All of our players should shake hands with the opposition players and the umpires at the end of every match

A Note on Behaviour of Parents, Carers and Guests

Parents, Carers and Guests should offer positive support/encouragement at all times. Please see the Middlesex Cricket Code of Conduct for Parents, Guardians/Carers and Guests:
https://www.middlesexccc.com/page/code-of-conduct-for-parents-carers-and-guests

The following table is intended as a guide:

Positive behaviours - Parents	Limiting factors - Parents
Emphasis on positive attitude and effort	Over-emphasis on winning
Keeps success and failure in perspective	Player performance determines parent ego
Has reasonable / realistic expectations	Has unrealistic expectations
Displays an optimistic style	Criticises the player unnecessarily
Creates a positive environment	Focusses on negative things
Allows coaches to coach	Interrupts coaching sessions
Allows managers to manage	Interferes with team management
Allows players to play	Enters the field of play or interrupts game
Keeps support within reasonable bounds	Calls out every ball or over celebrates

Do not be passive. If you see something that isn’t right, gently call it out or report it (see below). It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the game is played in the right way.

A Final Note

Please remember that all managers are volunteers who give up a great deal of time to help provide as positive an experience for the players as possible. Parents can help them by volunteering for scoring, setting up pitches but mainly by:
• Marking availability AND any subsequent selection without being chased
• Arriving at the meeting time and not just as the game is starting
• Respecting any decision that IFL Team Managers / umpires make.

Occasionally things may go wrong and if you would like to speak to someone in the Club in the first instance you should speak to your Age Group Manager, but if you feel you need to escalate (or you have a comment about the Age Group Manager themselves), you can contact:
• Penny Lewis (safeguarding officer) - penny.lewis@pearson.com
• Shaftab Khalid (director of cricket) - shaftab.khalid@ealingcc.co.uk