1. Cheshire County Cricket League
How can we improve player behaviour in CCCL? – a forum
Venue:
Date:

2. Player Behaviour Forum
Kick-off questions
Do you think there is a player behaviour problem in CCCL? Did you witness bad behaviour in 2016?
Do you have a commitment/desire to improve behaviour at your club? Or
Are you not bothered because you think everything is ok?

3. Player Behaviour Forum
Current Situation
Known umpire concerns
Umpire recruitment is getting more difficult
BBC article – 50% of umpires have been verbally abused
Volunteer umpires reducing/non- existant
Fairplay marks are reducing year on year
Most cases of poor behaviour are not reported
Negative impact of behaviour on parents and their children
Problems typically caused:
by non-acceptance of decisions
Flash points caused by perceived umpiring mistakes
Perceived umpiring bias by opposition player or non-player umpiring
Personal abuse
Inane rubbish talk
Escalation effect
Clubs are not self-governing the ECB Disciplinary Code
Clubs turn a blind eye unless incident is reported
More matches without umpires than with

4. Player Behaviour Forum
Case for Action – consequences of poor behaviour
The ‘burning bridge’ effect of reducing umpire numbers
Not enough umpires for 1st team cricket in less than 3 years - embarrassing
Difficult to recruit umpires- irrespective of quality
Children not playing at lower levels because bad behaviour is switching them off and their parents
Occasional cricketers less likely to participate
On field incidents impact on post-match socialising and behaviour in future fixtures
Revenues reduce

5. Player Behaviour Forum
Possible approach
Simply accept the umpires decision which will reduce possibility of conflict and escalation
Chairman is ultimately responsible
Club Chairman to hold all captains to account
They can drive discipline from the top
Do players actually know or care about ECB Disciplinary Code? Issue a soft copy to all players
Adopt the rugby approach – ok for captain to discuss with umpires in a reasonable and reasoned manner, but not other players’
Clubs to self govern using ECB/CCCL code including taking measures that will reduce player availability for incidents that not reported
Umpires need to raise their game if players seen to be doing their bit
Clubs work harder with known worst offenders
Stop captains penalising umpires when they positively address bad behaviour

6. Player Behaviour Forum
Benefits
Migration of umpires from other leagues into CCCL
Stop the declining number of umpires
More pleasant game at all levels
More bar revenue
Better club relationships
Increased participation – adults and children
Matches are better managed from beginning to end
Better decision making by umpires because not under unjustified pressure and less intimidated