Coaching Code of Behaviour

In addition to the General Code of Behaviour, you must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during any activity held by or under the auspices of a Community Cricket Peak Body, a Region or an Affiliated Club and Association and in your role as a coach of, a Community Cricket Peak Body, a Region or an Affiliated Club and Association:
  • Operate within the rules and Spirit of Cricket and teach your players to do the same.
  • Remember that young people participate for pleasure and winning is only part of the fun.
  • Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
  • Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
  • Avoid overplaying the talented players; all young players need and deserve equal time, attention and opportunities.
  • Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
  • Display control and respect to all those involved in Cricket. This includes opponents, coaches, umpires, administrators, parents and spectators. Encourage your players to do the same.
  • Show concern and caution toward sick and injured players. Follow the advice of a physician when determining whether an injured player is ready to recommence training or competition.
  • Obtain appropriate qualifications and keep up to date with the latest Cricket coaching practices and principles of growth and development of young people. Be honest and ensure that qualifications are not misrepresented.
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
  • Promote a climate of mutual support among your players. Encourage players to respect one another and to expect respect for their worth as individuals regardless of their level of play.
  • Encourage and facilitate players’ independence and responsibility for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions.
  • Determine, in consultation with the players, what information is confidential and respect that confidentiality.
  • Provide feedback to players in a caring sensitive manner to their needs. Avoid overly negative feedback.
  • Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards your players. This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse. Be alert to any forms of abuse directed toward your players from other sources while they are in your care. (Abide by Community Cricket Member Protection By-law).
  • Refrain from any form of harassment towards your players. Treat all players fairly within the context of their sporting activities, regardless of gender, race, place of origin, athletic potential, colour, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, and other condition. (Abide by Community Cricket Member Protection By-law).
  • Be acutely aware of the power that you as a coach develop with your players in the coaching relationship and avoid any sexual intimacy with players that could develop as a result.
  • Avoid situations with your players that could be construed as compromising. Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill development.
  • At all times use appropriate training methods which will benefit the players and avoid those which could be harmful. Ensure that the tasks, training, equipment and facilities are safe and suitable for age, experience, ability and physical and psychological conditions of the players.
  • Ensure the players time spent with you is a positive experience. All players are deserving of equal attention and opportunities. Provide training and game opportunities that ensure everyone has a reasonable chance to succeed and to improve/acquire skills and develop confidence.
  • Actively discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs, the use of alcohol and tobacco and illegal substance. (Abide by the Cricket Victoria Anti-Doping Policy).
  • Recognise individual differences in players and always think of the player’s long-term best interests.
  • Set challenges for each player which are both achievable and motivating.
  • Respect the fact that your goal as a coach for the player may not always be the same as that of the player. Aim for excellence based upon realistic goals and due consideration for the participant’s growth and development.
  • At all times act as a role model that promotes the positive aspects of sport and of Cricket by maintaining the highest standards of personal conduct and projecting a favourable image of Cricket and of coaching at all times.
  • Recognise your player’s rights to consult with other coaches and advisers. Cooperate fully with other specialists (eg. sports scientists, doctors, physiotherapists etc).
  • Do not exploit any coaching relationship or information gained through Cricket Victoria Programs, to further personal, political, or business interests.
  • Encourage players and coaches to develop and maintain integrity in their relationship with others.