Anti-Bullying Policy

This policy is designed to provide guidelines for the responsibility of Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association (BNJCA) in providing for the care and protection of children in its care during cricket events.

The appeal of the game of cricket in Australia is not just limited to its strong history, tradition and culture. It is also about the way the game is played. For this reason, Cricket Australia places a strong emphasis on players and officials adhering to the ‘Spirit of Cricket’, and the ‘Codes of Behaviour’.

There is also growing awareness in schools and junior sporting clubs about the need to recognise ‘bullying’. This can impact on the attitude of young people towards their sport. It can result in children wanting to leave their team or their sport; in parents not getting involved, and in a poor image for a team or club.

Along with the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and the ‘Codes of Behaviour’, the BNJCA advocates that affiliated clubs institute an awareness campaign amongst their committees, parents and players.

Bullying is unacceptable behaviour and should not be tolerated. It can include name calling, constant criticism, racist remarks, threats, and unwelcome physical contact. It can also take the form of spreading rumours and excluding someone from activities.

On the sporting field, it can take the form of ‘put downs’ because of a players’ capability (can’t bat, can’t catch, can’t throw etc), or forming small team cliques which exclude the player.

The BNJCA believes it is the responsibility of club administrators, volunteer coaches and managers and parents to be aware of possible bullying. Many young children are reluctant to tell adults that they are being bullied. Older children are even more reluctant. This underlines the need for constant vigilance and encouragement to report bullying.

Bullying can occur:

• child to child – includes physical aggression, verbal bullying (picking on another child), intimidation, damage to property, and isolation
• adult to child – includes repeated gestures or expressions of a threatening or intimidatory nature, or any comment intended to degrade the child (including those about performance).
• child to adult – includes repeated gestures or expressions of a threatening or intimidatory nature by an individual child or a group of children

The BNJCA recommends all affiliated clubs develop an anti-bullying policy, which at least includes the following measures:

• awareness of bullying as an unacceptable form of
• a club ethos which encourages children to report
• a complaints mechanism to address this
• good supervision policies at junior cricket
• a supportive environment for victims of
• the co-operation of parents/guardians to counter

The BNJCA expects players and officials to respect the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and the Laws of Cricket, and to adhere to the Australian Sports Commission Codes of Behaviour for players, parents, coaches and administrators.

The Association does not condone physical or verbal abuse of any form in the junior cricket environment.

The BNJCA recommends affiliated clubs initiate an awareness program within their committee and amongst all volunteer coaches, managers and scorers. Clubs should also institute a complaints process to deal effectively with any bullying behaviours. A recommended complaints framework would:

• Encourage bullying to be reported to the team manager or the club
• Record the Get both sides of the story from the victim and alleged bully. Talk to witnesses and inform parents.
• Decide on any sanction (this could range from mediation, verbal warning, written warning, temporary or permanent ban from club)
• Make sure there is right of

The BNJCA anticipates any ‘bullying’ matters would be dealt with in the club environment. It is not envisaged the Association would become involved unless it involves an inter-club dispute.