IBSTOCK TOWN CRICKET CLUB MISSION STATEMENT
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a fun environment, in which boys and girls can learn the game of Cricket, the manner in which it should be played and the teamwork that is crucial to it.
Please read through the following, it contains important information regarding Mini & Junior Cricket at Ibstock Town Cricket Club
Players
- Play for the fun of it - not just to please your parents or coach.
- Play by the Laws of the Game.
- Never argue with the Umpire’s decision.
- Control your temper.
- Play well for yourself and your team - your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
- Be a good sport - recognise all good play, whether by your team or your opponents’ team.
- Treat all players as you would like to be treated - do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player.
- Remember that the aims of the game are to have fun, improve your skills and feel good - do not be a show off.
- Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and the Umpire, for without them you will not have a game.
Parents/Spectators
- Foster enthusiastic participation - do not force an unwilling child to participate in Cricket.
- Encourage respect for Umpires by not publicly questioning their decisions and never their honesty.
- Remember that children learn best by example - applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.
- Encourage your child always to play by the Laws of the Game.
- Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake in a game.
- Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that defeat is accepted without undue disappointment.
- Recognise the value and importance of volunteer coaches and Umpires - they give their time and resources to provide Cricket for your child.
- Remember that children play Cricket for their own fun - they are not there to entertain you and they are not miniature pro athletes.
- Instil in your child an understanding of the value and enjoyment of coaching.
Good Practice Guidelines for our Coaches
- Always be publicly open when working with children.
- Cricket is a physical game. Situations will occur when, in order to teach or coach certain techniques, it is necessary to make contact with the player. If this is the case, tell the player beforehand and ask them if they have any objections.
- If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that adults work in pairs, and that gender is appropriate.
- Where mixed gender teams compete away from home at least one male and one female adult should always accompany them in a vehicle.
- Coaches must place the well being and safety of the player above the development of performance.
- Respect all Umpires and the decisions they make
Coaches should:
- Avoid overplaying of players; use a squad system.
- Ensure development comes first, winning second
- When coaching contact skills ensure safety first
- Never allow injured players to train or play.
- Ensure all equipment and facilities are safe and appropriate.
- Never coach law violations.
- Never overtly criticise players – their confidence is paramount.
At Ibstock Town Cricket Club we believe that taking part in our sport should be a positive and enjoyable part of children’s lives. We want to make sure that children are protected and kept safe from physical, sexual and emotional harm while they are with the club’s coaches, helpers and other volunteers. Further to this aim the Club has drawn up a Safeguarding Policy avavliable Here. An abridged version of the Safeguarding Policy follows:
The Club Will
1). Ensure that each coach or volunteer within Ibstock Town Cricket Club Mini & Junior’s:
- Understands what child abuse means
- Ensures good practice in the coaching of young players
- Provide a safe environment for young people
- Recognise abuse and provide a structure to deal sympathetically with concerns
2). Ask coaches to go on a recognised ECB Coaches Course or equivalent cricket course before they begin working with children, or within their first season of coaching should courses not be immediately available at the start of the season.
3). Encourage and help coaches to stay up-to-date with Cricket, coaching and child protection issues. Each lead Coach will Complete a Safeguarding Young Cricketers Course.
4). Identify a person whose role it is to deal with any concerns about physical, sexual or emotional abuse within the club. From April 2022 this is Michelle Tointon. Michelle and her Team are contactable by telephone on 07965240764.
All current and prospective coaches will complete a child protection form with references that allows us to register them with the ECB and the Criminal Records Bureau, who may:
- Find out about their past career
- Find out if they have a criminal record
Every applicant knows the Club’s attitude to the protection of children from abuse and receives a copy of the Club’s written policy and its code of conduct for coaches.
Any parent with any concerns should, in the first instance, speak to the Safeguarding Officer.