UXBRIDGE CRICKET CLUB
CLUB CONSTITUTION
The name of the Club (hereinafter called ‘The Club’) is The Uxbridge Cricket Club. All rules contained within this constitution are particular to the Cricket Club, and are not in conflict with and do not supersede the rules of Uxbridge Sports Club. The Club is affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board through the Middlesex Cricket Board.
The headquarters of The Club shall be the Pavilion at Uxbridge Cricket Club, Gatting Way, Park Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1NR. The Club colour’s shall be Cambridge Blue, Olive Green and Cerise.
2. Aims & Objectives:
a) To foster and promote the sport of cricket at all levels within the community and within the sport, providing opportunities for recreation, coaching and competition.
b) To promote and operate The Club in a safe, equitable, well conducted and financially sound manner.
c) To ensure that all members, playing and non-playing, abide by the ECB code of Conduct which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, and by the Laws of Cricket.
d) To ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club by adopting and implementing the ECB Cricket Equity Policy, and any future version of this Policy.
e) To encourage all members to participate fully in the activities of The Club.
3. Membership:
a) Membership of The Club shall be open to anyone interested in cricket regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Limitation of membership is allowable howeveraccording to available facilities on a non discriminatory basis.
b) The Club may have different classes of membership and subscription levels set on a non discriminatory basis. Subscription levels are set by the parent Uxbridge Sports Club annually.
Membership Categories:
a. Honorary Life Members
b. Honorary Life Vice Presidents
c. Honorary Vice Presidents
d. Vice Presidents
e. Senior Playing Members
f. Student Playing Members
g. Colt Playing Members
h. Non Playing Members
i. Associate Members
d) All members in membership categories a. through to g. (stated above) holding a valid membership for the previous season and over the age of 18 on 31st August of the current year will have voting rights for members of the committee and be able to hold office (this does not include voting on team captains).
e) No person shall be eligible to take part in the business of The Club or eligible for selection for any team unless the appropriate membership form and subscription have been received by the 31st of May of the year. The only exception to this is those members whose memberships are not due as on 31st May.
f) Senior Playing Members, Student Members and Colts Members are all eligible for selection to play for The Club.
g) The Club Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, as set out in the club disciplinary procedure.
4. Cricket Management Committee & Officers:
a) The affairs of The Club in all matters not covered in the rules or concerning interpretation of the rules, will be managed by the Cricket Committee.
b) The Cricket Committee will comprise:
The Chairman
The Honorary Secretary
The Honorary Treasurer
The Honorary Fixture Secretary
The Honorary Ground Ranger
The Honorary Colts Secretary
Child Welfare Officer
Executive Representative (normally the Chairman)
Club Captain
Up to three members appointed at the AGM
Ad hoc members as the committee deem appropriate
Vice Chairman or President (optional)
c) The Club Committee shall have the power to appoint a member to fill any vacancy until the next AGM. Any member who may be appointed will cease their appointment at the next AGM.
d) Meetings of the Committee shall be held at such times as the Committee shall determine but shall have held a minimum of ten meetings in the preceding twelve month period.
e) At all meetings of the Committee there will be at least four members present.
f) The Chairman shall take the chair, or in his absence the meeting shall elect a temporary Chairman.
g) The Chairman will have the casting vote if necessary.
h) The Committee shall elect one of its members to be a representative to the overall Club Executive Committee.
5. Acceptance of Rules:
Every member of The Club shall be bound by and subject to the rules together with any disciplinary committee rulings. Further, every member will be bound by the rules of Uxbridge Sports Club (parent club) and any subsequent amendment or modification thereof.
6. Alteration of Rules:
a) These constitution/rules may be revised, added to or amended by majority comprising two thirds or more, of the members present at any General Meeting of The Club, at which notice has been given in accordance with the rules, specifying the change as part of the purpose of that meeting.
7. General Meetings:
a) The AGM shall be held between October 1st and March 1st inclusive in each year and within fifteen months of the preceding AGM.
b) The business of the AGM shall be as follows:
To adopt minutes of the previous year’s AGM
To receive and adopt the audited accounts of The Club
To receive the reports of the Clubs Officers
To elect Officers and Captains for the following year
To present any other business
c) Notice of the AGM shall be given by the Secretary in writing four weeks prior to the day of the meeting. Nominations for Club officials and captains are to be received a minimum of fourteen days before the date of the AGM and must be duly proposed and seconded by an approved member of the club for the year.
d) A General Meeting may be convened at any time by the Club Committee.
e) The Club Committee shall be obliged to convene a General meeting of The Club within seven days of a written request by twenty eligible members as detailed in (3.d).
f) At all General Meetings all attendees must be at the meeting no later than 30 minutes after the meeting commences. Once this time has passed no more members will be admitted. The standing committee will have final say on all admittance issues. The option of Secure Online voting to be provided to all the eligible members of the club to vote on all club matters including captaincy. The Election office bearer in consultation with the Chairman and secretary will decide on the election process and identifying the right secure online voting tool.
g) All eligible members who are being paid for services from UCC in one form or the other for playing/ coaching / managing will have to be made known to all members. Further they will not be eligible to contest for any official position and neither will they be eligible to vote at the AGM or on any matters pertaining to the club.
h) At any General Meeting, every member who has fully paid their subscription and has valid membership by the 31st Aug of the year shall be entitled to be present and every member shall be entitled to vote upon each question raised with the exception of voting on captaincy issues detailed in (7.h).
i) Only members that hold a valid membership and fall into the following membership categories will be entitled to vote on captaincy issues.
Honorary Life Members
Honorary Life Vice Presidents
Senior Playing Members
Student Playing Members
Any Member that has been part of the committee in the past 12 months
Additionally any junior member/colt over the voting age of 16 (as specified above in 3,d)) who has played in the preceding season a minimum of eight MCCL, MJCA or TVCL matches in that season, is eligible to vote upon matters related to the appointment of team captains.
j) The Honorary Secretary shall take minutes of the proceeding at all General Meetings of The Club.
k) At all General Meetings, except where indicated in these rules, resolutions shall be carried by the majority of those present with voting entitlement.
l) Any Officers elected at a General Meeting of The Club may hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.
m) Nominated officials may be withdrawn by the standing committee in exceptional circumstances
8. Finance:
a) The Clubs accounting year will run from October 1st to September 30th each year.
b) Membership subscriptions shall be set in each year by the parent Executive Club Committee. All such subscriptions shall be paid by each member of The Club by May 1st in each year. In the event that the current year’s subscription remains unpaid by that date then the member shall be deemed as having their membership suspended, including the right to team selection.
c) A match levy, to be determined by the Cricket Committee, shall be paid by all members taking part in matches, this will include a contribution towards teas and ball levy.
d) The Treasurer shall receive all monies due to The Club, and shall make any payments on its behalf in accordance with these rules and any procedure decided by the Club Committee. The Treasurer will keep a full and proper account of such monies and shall present a duly audited statement of accounts at each AGM.
e) All cheques over the amount of £200 drawn on banking accounts maintained by The Club shall be signed by two duly authorised members of the Committee.
f) No member who has not paid the match fees for two matches will not be eligible for selection for any teams in the seniors.
- All captains take the responsibility to abide by the TVCL/ MCCL/CVL rules to comply with the regulations on filing the captains report, pitch report and updating the match results within the stipulated time. Any failure to adhere to the rules the captain shall become liable for all fines raised by TVCL /MCCL/CVLand will also be liable for a fine upto £50 from UCC. If the same happens more than two times in a season, the committee will have the authority to make changes as required.
- All Captains will take responsibility for the upkeep of the grounds on the day of the match and at the end of the match they will be responsible for ensuring the grounds are kept at the highest standards including clearing of the bins and moving them to the main club binning area. This will not only include setting up the wickets, setting up the electronic scoreboard, adjusting the boundary rope, frog box and clearing all the rubbish after the match but anything that may be required.
- All captains must submit their match fee details as per the excel file provided by the treasurer and any failure to comply with this regulation the committee can intervene to take necessary action against the captain including changing the captain.
- If the committee decides to bring in a paid player, the paid player should have played professional cricket recognised by the respective countries cricket board.
- Ground ranger has to take full responsibility for ensuring communication with third party service providers and USC. It will be their responsibility to liase with captains to ensure that our grounds are kept clean and neat. Further it is the responsibility of the grounds ranger to safeguard the clubs equipment’s. It is also the responsibility of the grounds ranger to have standard operating procedures on using various equipment at the club and its annual maintenance.
9. Audit:
a) An Auditor shall be appointed by the Cricket Committee once the annual accounts have been prepared if necessary and deemed a statutory requirement as per companies act or ECB.
10. Team Selections:
a) The selection of senior sides shall be vested in a Selection Committee consisting of the Captains of all the Elevens. The First Eleven Captain shall be Chairman of the SelectionCommittee or as decided by the Executive Committee. Consideration for junior members to play adult cricket should be provided. Further the Club Captain will abide by the detailed selection policy agreed by the EC.
11. Child Protection Policy:
a) To ensure a duty of care to all members by adopting and Implementing the ECB ‘Safe Hands – Welfare Policy for Safe Guarding Young People in Cricket’
b) All new colts’ members and parents will receive the link to an online summary of this policy as part of an introductory pack of relevant information at the time their membership commences.
c) The Club recognises its duty of care to ensure the safety and welfare of all young people involved in cricket at Uxbridge and will strive to follow best practice at all times.
d) The Clubs Safe guarding Officers name and contact details shall be displayed on the main cricket notice board and website.
12. Misconduct / Disciplinary & Appeals:
12.1 BASIC PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
a) Uxbridge Cricket Club shall operate a Disciplinary Policy in accordance with the current Disciplinary Rules operating within the jurisdiction of the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Middlesex Cricket Board, except where modified below.
b) The ECB “Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket” statement shall operate throughout the Club.
c) These rules shall apply to all League, Cup, Representative, Junior and Indoor matches played under the auspices of Uxbridge Cricket Club and any functions organised by the Club.
12.2. MAINTENANCE OF DISCIPLINE
a) The Club Committee is the authoritative body in respect of discipline within the Club and shall take whatever measures are required to maintain an acceptable standard of behaviour and inflict appropriate penalties.
b) A Disciplinary Panel shall be appointed by the Club Committee and will deal promptly with any complaint or incident.
12.3. CODE OF CONDUCT
a) All players, officials and supporters are bound by the Club Disciplinary Rules and shall conduct themselves accordingly. Members and guests are required to adhere to Government, ECB and the Club’s Covid-19 guidelines and procedures. Any quarantine periods must be adhered to and if anyone breaches these periods or any other Covid-19 protocols this would be a breach of the clubs code of conduct
b) Unsatisfactory conduct shall include, but not be limited to:
• Dissent at an umpire’s decision or reaction in a provocative or disapproving manner, whether verbal or written.
• Physical abuse, intimidation, assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, official, player or spectator.
• The use of crude, foul or abusive language or the making of offensive gestures or hand signals whether directed at an individual or otherwise.
• Sledging or deliberate distraction of an opponent and persisting appealing in order to pressurise an umpire or opponent.
• Any form of abuse or discrimination relating to race, religion, creed or any other nature.
• Wilful damage to property, equipment or playing surface.
• The use or distribution of illegal drugs or substances.
• Conduct unbefitting of a gentleman or any other action that is likely to bring the Club or Game of Cricket into disrepute or prejudice its good name or interests.
• Repeated infringements of the Spirit of the Game, either by an individual or a team where each infringement in itself does not merit any immediate disciplinary action. Such instances will result in a Disciplinary Hearing and the Captain will be held responsible for the conduct of his team.
• Unacceptable behaviour, by word or action, at any function organised by the Club.
• Mistreatment or harassment of an individual or group either in person or via electronic equipment including, but not limited to, mobile phones, email and social networking sites.
12.4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE
a) Club
The Club has the overall responsibility for the behaviour of its members and maintaining discipline.
b) Captain / Team Manager
The Captain and, in the case of junior teams the Manager of the team, is responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the game as well as within the laws. The Captain or Team Manager can instruct an Uxbridge player to leave the field of play and take no further part in the game or make a complaint against a player after the game to the Uxbridge Cricket Club Secretary. Failure to take suitable action against an offender may render the Captain or Manager liable to a charge of ‘Unsatisfactory Conduct’.
12.5. ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT
In the event of an incident occurring, Uxbridge Cricket Club will instigate an investigation and take appropriate action against offenders, irrespective of whether the incident has been reported to the League. The Captain, Team Manager or officials of Uxbridge Cricket Club should forward any complaint against an Uxbridge player by the umpires, opposition or spectators to the Uxbridge Cricket Club Secretary as soon as possible.
12.6. PLAYERS
a) Outstanding Disciplinary Action
· No player who is currently under suspension or involved in uncompleted disciplinary action imposed by any other league or member club of another league may play in matches for Uxbridge Cricket Club.
· Uxbridge Cricket Club must endeavor to check the disciplinary record of any player whom they intend to sign from a club in another league.
· Uxbridge Cricket Club may refuse to register any player until the Club is satisfied that the player’s disciplinary status is acceptable.
b) Representative Games
Players representing other sides are subject to the Uxbridge Cricket Club Disciplinary Rules and will be answerable for any disciplinary transgressions.
c) Overseas and Contracted Players
Each contracted or overseas player is subject to the Club Disciplinary Rules.
12.7. REPORTING AN INCIDENT
a) Any complaint about incidents of misconduct or improper behaviour must be notified in writing to the Club Secretary no later than five days following the incident. Any complaints reported outside this time will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Club Chairman. The complaint should be supported with evidence, such as written statements from witnesses and other documents.
b) Upon receipt of such a complaint, the Club Secretary shall give notice to the Respondent and copy the evidence in support.
12.8. CONVENING A DISCIPLINARY HEARING
The Club shall convene a Disciplinary Hearing within 14 days of receipt of the complaint and shall notify the Complainant and the Respondent of the date, if the incident occurred on the field of play then the Captain or Team Manager shall also be notified. It is the responsibility of the Complainant and the Respondent to present evidence, including arranging the attendance of witnesses, at the Disciplinary Hearing. The Uxbridge Cricket Club Disciplinary Committee can decide to proceed with matters in the non-attendance of a player unless a valid reason is given.
12.9. DISCIPLINARY HEARING
a) The hearing is not a Court of Law but an enquiry into the circumstances giving rise to the complaint. No legal representation will be allowed. The Disciplinary Committee shall comprise of three members of the Cricket Committee. The Chair shall appoint one of the members to make a written note of the Disciplinary Hearing. The decision, penalty and other matters arising for determination at the Disciplinary Hearing shall be on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the event of a split decision, the Chair shall have the casting vote.
b) No person who is connected in any way with the complaint shall be involved in convening or officiating at the Disciplinary Hearing or on an Appeal.
c) The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be given at the meeting, will be confirmed in writing as soon as possible thereafter by the Club Secretary and will be put into effect at the date thereof subject to any possible appeal. In the event of an appeal being lodged, the penalty shall be suspended until determination. No further discussion or submissions will be taken at the meeting.
d) The Chair shall determine the conduct of the hearing which shall be in accordance with the procedures laid down hereafter.
12.10. PENALTIES
The Disciplinary Committee shall impose such penalties as they consider appropriate in accordance with the schedule of penalties laid down by the Club from time to time which shall be published. If a member is found guilty of breaching ECB and Middlesex Cricket Club or Board directives, the Uxbridge Cricket Club Disciplinary Committee has the power to:
• Recommend the Uxbridge Cricket Club Cricket Committee should dismiss the member.
• Suspend the member for a number of games depending on the seriousness of the incident.
• Give the member a written warning about their future conduct.
The Uxbridge Cricket Club Disciplinary Committee can reserve the right to take into account the conduct of a player during the three previous seasons.
12.11. APPEAL PROCEDURE
a) The Complainant and the Respondent may appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. The Secretary should set a date for an appeal as soon as possible. An appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be given in writing, setting out the reasons thereof, and must be received by the Club Secretary no later than seven days from the date of the decision to be appealed against. The Disciplinary Appeal Committee shall have the power to accept an appeal out of time only in exceptional circumstances.
b) Upon receipt of an Appeal, the Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Disciplinary Appeal Committee and give no less than seven days notice to the complainant and the Respondent.
c) The Appeal is also not a Court of Law and no legal representation shall be allowed. The Disciplinary Appeal Committee shall comprise of five members of the Cricket Committee, excluding any who comprised the Disciplinary Committee whose decision is under appeal. In the event that there are insufficient qualified persons to sit on the Disciplinary Appeal Committee, the Club may appoint other members of the Club to sit. The Disciplinary Appeal Committee shall nominate one of its members as Chair. The Chair shall appoint one of the members to make a written note of the appeal hearing.
d) The Disciplinary Appeal Committee shall have the power to uphold or vary the decision and to uphold, increase or decrease the penalties (if any) imposed or to order a fresh hearing.
e) The decision of the Disciplinary Appeal Committee shall be final and binding on all parties and shall be confirmed in writing by the Club Secretary as soon as possible thereafter.
f) The Chair shall determine the conduct of the appeal which shall be in accordance with the procedures laid down hereafter.
12.12 LEAGUE DISPINARY PROCEDURES
If action is taken by the Middlesex County Cricket League, 1987 League or Chess Valley League against an Uxbridge player, the Secretary will ensure all procedures are adhered to and will accompany the Uxbridge player to a hearing.
12.13 The club safeguarding policy, the Policy on Changing room, The policy of Diversity, Inclusivity, Equality as provided for by the ECB will be adhered by all the members of the club.
12.13 NOTIFICATION AND RECORDING OF OFFENCES
All information relating to Disciplinary matters will be retained by the Club and be available to all Officers of Clubs and Leagues affiliated to the ECB.
13. Visitors:
All visiting teams will be admitted as Associate Members for the day of their visit and will thereby enjoy the privileges of membership for that day.
14. Club Hours:
All members will observe the opening hours and availability of the Club as stipulated by the parent Executive Committee.
15. Notices:
Each member shall keep the Honorary Secretary fully apprised of an address where communication can be sent. All notices will be posted by being shown in a prominent position in a part of The Club premises frequented by members and it shall be the duty of the Honorary Secretary to ensure that any such notice remains exhibited throughout any required period.
16. Dissolution:
a) If, at any General Meeting, a resolution for the dissolution of The Club shall be passed by a majority of two thirds of the Full Members present and entitled to vote, the Cricket Committee shall thereupon at such future date as shall be specified in such resolution proceed to realise the assets of The Club, and discharge all debts and liabilities of The Club. The Cricket Committee will be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Clubs affairs.
b) The Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining toone or more of the following:
To another sports club which is a registered charity
To another sports club which is a registered Community Amateur Sports Club
This constitution was accepted by members of Uxbridge Cricket Club at the AGM on 25-10-2016
Updated 30-7-2020 to include Covid statement (subject to ratification at next AGM)