West of England Premier League warns about rise in verbal abuse and threatening behaviour

In a letter from WEPL standards committee chairman Allan Taylor and disciplinary panel chairman Chris Pannell say the increase in poor behaviour "threatens to undermine the recreational game we all enjoy"

^{A letter has been sent to all WEPL clubs by its standards committee chairman Allan Taylor}

The West of England Premier League has written to all its member clubs after a rise in reports of foul language and threatening behaviour in games under its jurisdiction.

The league says that it has received formal complaints from umpires, captains and players about incidents involving the verbal abuse of under-18s and female bar staff, as well as physical threats directed at members of the opposition.

WEPL standards committee chairman Allan Taylor and disciplinary panel chairman Chris Pannell say in the letter that the increase in poor behaviour "threatens to undermine the recreational game we all enjoy".

"Complaints have been received from umpires, captains, players, and in those cases where Under 18 players have been involved, Child Welfare Officers and parents, some of who have questioned whether their sons should continue to play the game at this level," part of the letter read.

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"Reports received from Child Welfare Officers have emphasised their legal responsibility and that of everyone involved in cricket have to look after the welfare and development of our young players.

As well as reminding captains of their responsibilities with regards to their teams' behaviour, the league intends to combat the issue by giving umpires new direction to report "any player using gratuitous foul, abusive or threatening language".

Those found to have breached the outlined code of conduct set out by the WEPL's disciplinary regulations could received "significant" points deductions.

"The Board recognise that there are a great many players who do play the game according to The Spirit of Cricket and act as positive role models for young players, but the Board and the ECB are determined that those who chose to resort to unacceptable behaviour for whatever reason, will be punished," the letter read.

Seventy teams across the west of England compete in the WEPL, one of 29 Premier Leagues nationwide. Teams from Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire are spread over seven divisions in three tiers.

Have you witnessed threatening behaviour or verbal abuse at your club? Tell The Cricketer about it by writing to website@thecricketer.com

THE WEPL'S LETTER TO CLUBS IN FULL

At the pre-season meetings all clubs were reminded that there is no place in our game for obscene, abusive or foul language.  

Sadly, and to the detriment of the game, the Board has received a significant number of reports which describe in great detail, abusive and threatening behaviour by some players, much of which has been directed at young players under the age of 18 or within their hearing.

Complaints have been received from umpires, captains, players, and in those cases where Under 18 players have been involved, Child Welfare Officers and parents, some of who have questioned whether their sons should continue to play the game at this level.  

Reports received from Child Welfare Officers have emphasised their legal responsibility and that of everyone involved in cricket have to look after the welfare and development of our young players.

At that pre-season meeting a number of senior captains indicated their concern about player behaviour generally, behaviour which they felt was getting worse and well beyond a level that is consistent with the Spirit of Cricket.

It is clear to the WEPL Board that this behaviour cannot, and will not, be tolerated and all Clubs are directed to remind captains that they are responsible for all the actions of their players at all times. Captains also have a legal responsibility to exercise a duty of care for all junior players aged eighteen and below, and it is worth emphasising that this responsibility extends to opposition players as well as their own.

This duty of care is a legal responsibility which carries with it obvious consequences if not maintained.Player behaviour is the sole responsibility of captains and NOT the responsibility of the umpire.

Reports have also been received of threats of a physical nature to opposition players both during and after the game and, most recently, allegations of verbal abuse of female bar staff following a game.

Recreational cricket is losing umpires and administrators at an alarming rate and young players in particular are leaving the game, largely as a consequence of the behaviours indicated above and, taken together, the overall effect threatens to undermine the recreational game we all enjoy.

From now on, umpires will be directed to report any player using gratuitous foul, abusive or threatening language and captains will be held responsible for the behaviour reported.

Clubs will be expected to carry out the penalties set out in our disciplinary regulations and, depending upon the circumstances reported by the umpires, Clubs may well face significant points deductions.

In sending this letter to all WEPL Clubs, the Board recognise that there are a great many players who do play the game according to The Spirit of Cricket and act as positive role models for young players, but the Board and the ECB are determined that those who chose to resort to unacceptable behaviour for whatever reason, will be punished.