1 Introduction
Yapham Cricket Club is committed to ensuring the welfare of all its young members. The Club Constitution states:
The Club aims to provide opportunities for its Junior and Intermediate Players to play cricket and develop their abilities in a fun and safe environment. The Club fully supports the England and Wales Cricket Board Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy and Code of Conduct, and shall appoint a Child Welfare Officer to help the Club implement these. All Members are required to comply with the Code of Conduct.

2 Key Principles of the ECB Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy
• All Young People* within Cricket, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability, have the right to be protected
* defined as those aged under 18 years
• All Young People participating in sport and in particular Cricket, have a right to do so in a safe environment
• Adults working within Cricket will provide a safe, positive and fun Cricketing experience for Young People
• Adults - Volunteers, Coaches, Umpires and Scorers will understand and be supported in their role and responsibility with regard to the Duty of Care for Young People
• Individuals will receive support through Education and Training, to be aware of and understand best practice and how to manage any welfare issues which may come to light
• All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously, managed and dealt with swiftly and appropriately
• It is the responsibility of the child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but it is the responsibility of all those working within Cricket to report any concerns

3 Child Welfare Officer
The Club shall appoint a Child Welfare Officer who will act as a first point of contact for any person in the Club who has a concern about child welfare and protection. They will assist in the promotion and implementation of the Welfare of Young People Policy within the Club including raising awareness of others in the Club about Child Protection issues and good practice.
The Child Welfare Officer should be familiar with the ECB Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy and undertake relevant training as appropriate.

4 Membership of the Club
Young People can become members of the Club in one of the following categories:
Junior Players (under 15 years of age on the qualifying date)
Intermediate Players (aged 15, 16 or 17 on the qualifying date)
The qualifying date is deemed to be 1st September of the previous year.
(Those aged 18 or over on the qualifying date will be in the Senior Players membership category.)
They become members of the Club upon completion of a Membership Application, signed by a parent or carer, and payment of the appropriate membership fee. Key information about the Club’s Child Protection Policy will be communicated to Junior / Intermediate members and their parents / carers with the Application Form. The Membership Application will require relevant details including:
name, address and other contact details, date of birth
any relevant medical conditions, allergies or medication being taken
emergency contact details of a Parent or Carer
and will obtain parent / carer agreement to the Code of Conduct and all other relevant consents (including the rules for wearing helmets and other protective equipment).

5 Code of Conduct for Junior/Intermediate Members
1. All members must play cricket within the laws and in the spirit of the game.
2. All members must respect colleagues, opponents and officials. Do not make derogatory comments or gestures about your colleagues or opponents. Never try to intimidate the opposition by threats or excessive triumphalism.
3. Be polite to umpires and respect their decisions. Never show dissent! Do not throw tantrums or cricket bats. Such behaviour invites sanctions from club officials.
4. Please keep to agreed timings for practice and matches: if you cannot play or are going to be late please let the Junior Manager (Juniors) / team captain (Intermediates) know as soon as possible.
5. All members must wear the appropriate kit – properly! Cricket whites and suitable trainers or cricket shoes should be worn for matches but tracksuits are permitted for practising.
6. All players must wear helmets when batting and when standing up to the stumps when wicket keeping (unless written parental consent has been received by the Club in the case of Intermediate players), and boxes should be worn when batting and wicket keeping.

6 Transport
Parents/carers are responsible for the transport of their child to and from matches and training. This includes arranging or giving agreement for their child to share lifts with other parents or Club players. No transport is provided by the Club unless specifically arranged, in which case details will be clearly communicated to parents / carers in advance. Parents/carers are made aware of this policy and asked to raise any concerns with the Child Welfare Officer.

7 Photographic images
The Club’s policy is to allow only parents/carers or authorised press photographers to take photos or videos at matches. Prior notification and specific agreement will be sought for any official team photos. The Club will check with opponents that any of their photographers are authorised by their club.
Parents/carers are made aware of this policy and asked to raise any objections or concerns with the Child Welfare Officer, including letting them know immediately if they notice anything about which they have any concerns.

8 Coaches and Volunteers
The Club supports coaches and volunteers working with and helping Junior and Intermediate Members to undergo appropriate training and obtain relevant qualifications, including ECB coaching qualifications. All coaches are required to undertake CRB checks, and other volunteers will be asked to complete CRB checks or self-disclosures as appropriate (as determined by the extent of their involvement and the relevant ECB policy or guidelines). Coaches and volunteers must abide by the ECB Code of Conduct for Coaches and Volunteers.
There should be a minimum of 2 coaches/volunteers at every training session or match.

9 ECB Code of Conduct for Coaches and Volunteers
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person within the context of Cricket
• Treat everyone equally and do not discriminate on the grounds of age, gender, religion, race, sexual orientation or disability
• If you see any form of discrimination do not condone it or allow it to go unchallenged
• Place the well-being and safety of the Young Person above the development of performance
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with Young People, based on mutual trust and respect
• Ensure that physical contact is appropriate and necessary and is carried out within recommended guidelines with the Young Person’s full consent and approval
• Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoid private or unobserved situations and encourage an open environment)
• Do not engage in any form of sexually related contact with a Young Player. This is strictly forbidden as is sexual innuendo, flirting or inappropriate gestures and terms
• Know and understand the ECB Welfare of Young People Policy and Procedures
• Respect Young People’s opinions when making decisions about their participation in Cricket
• Inform Players and Parents of the requirements of Cricket
• Be aware of and report any conflict of interest as soon as it becomes apparent
• Display high standards of language, manner, punctuality, preparation and presentation
• Do not smoke, drink or use banned substances whilst actively working with Young People in the Club. This reflects a negative image and could compromise the safety of the Young People
• Do not give Young People alcohol when they are under the care of the Club
• Hold relevant qualifications and insurance cover
• Ensure the activities are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual
• Promote the positive aspects of Cricket e.g. fair play
• Display high standards of behaviour and appearance
• Follow ECB guidelines set out in the Welfare of Young People Policy and any other relevant guidelines issued
• Ensure that you attend appropriate training to keep up to date with your role and the Welfare of Young People
• Report any concerns you may have in relation to a Young Person, following reporting procedures laid down by the ECB

10 CRB checks
Coaches, volunteers, club officials, umpires, scorers, players and other members of the Club will be asked to undergo CRB checks or self-disclosures as required by ECB policy. The Child Welfare Officer will be responsible for coordinating this.

11 Health & Safety
The safety of Young People is of paramount importance in all activities of the Club. Risks will be assessed and appropriate actions taken to minimise these. Coaches will ensure that any risks are understood and emphasise the need for safe practice and sound techniques.
The Club maintains a First Aid kit, and encourages and supports coaches and volunteers involved to undertake appropriate First Aid training. At least one coach or volunteer trained in First Aid should be present at every match or training session. The Club will keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
Parents/carers are asked to disclose any relevant medical conditions, allergies or medication being taken by their child when applying for membership.
Smoking is not permitted in the Club’s buildings, including the clubhouse, changing rooms, and scorebox.

12 Conduct of Members
The Club expects and requires all its Members to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times and deal with and treat all other Members and visitors with proper respect. The Club is affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board and all Members must comply with “The Spirit of Cricket” preamble to the Laws of Cricket and the England and Wales Cricket Board Code of Conduct. In addition, the Club will support the Rules and Disciplinary Procedures of any League in which it participates and all Members are required to comply therein.
Senior Members are expected to set a good example to Junior and Intermediate Members and other Young People at the Club (e.g. opponents, spectators) at all times.

13 Equity policy
The Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:
“Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society. The club respects the rights dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/ economic status. The club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse. All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity. The club will deal with any incident of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.”

14 Complaints and concerns
Any complaints or concerns will be treated seriously and dealt with promptly using the appropriate procedures. These include Child Protection issues, health and safety issues, and general complaints or concerns (the Club operates a procedure for complaints and disciplinary issues).
Any breach of this Policy could result in disciplinary action being taken by the club.