in Cricket.
The ECB are committed to ensure that all children who take part in cricket have a safe, positive and enjoyable experience, whatever their level of involvement. The welfare of children who play cricket is paramount and everyone has a role to play in ensuring they are safe from abuse of any kind.
Any individual (including umpires) organisation, club or County Board have a duty of care to ensure the safety and welfare of any child involved in cricket, to safeguard and protect them from reasonably foreseeable forms of harm.
Ray Knowles, YCB County Welfare Officer commented ''In my role as County Welfare Officer for the Yorkshire Cricket Board I regularly receive complaints from young people (under 18), parents and spectators that incidents of verbal bullying take place during senior cricket matches and no action is taken by officials against the offending player.''
Bullying can be defined as deliberate hurtful behaviour and can be physical, verbal and emotional. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and umpires should not allow this type of behaviour to occur against young people during cricket matches. In matches that young players are involved in, during a pre-match talk with captains, umpires should be advising that any bullying during the game will not be tolerated. Should incidents occur then a quiet word with the offending player and the captain will normally have the desired outcome. However should unacceptable behaviour continue then umpires should be considering reporting the matter to their league management.
Ray added ''We all have a duty to provide a safe and welcoming environment tailored to the needs and requirements of young people involved in cricket. Bullying is unacceptable and should play no part in the game of cricket.''
For further information please contact:
Ray Knowles
Tel 07917 205860
Email ray.knowles@live.co.uk