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INTRODUCTION

This document provides a summary of requirements, which must be met by existing and intending VSDCA clubs. These requirements are Lawful Directions of the VSDCA.

This is an updated version of the Assessment produced in September, 2002. An upgrade has become necessary due to relevant advances in requirements and expectations and also recognition of some omissions in the previous version due to some matters being taken for granted since they were already in place.

Some requirements must be met continuously, whilst others provide action deadlines.

At any time, clubs may be requested by the VSDCA Executive to confirm their adherence to these requirements.

These criteria add to the large body of rules, procedures and guidelines to which all clubs must have regard. Some of the criteria make reference to the original source of the requirement. For a more complete understanding of the framework under which clubs operate, reference could be made to the following:

VSDCA Rules (Associations Incorporation)
Associations Incorporation Act
VSDCA Rules for the Conduct of Pennant Matches
Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria Directions, e.g. Bowling Injury Prevention
“R.M. Hatch” Under 15 Competition Rules
VSDCA Rules for Finals Matches
VSDCA Code of Conduct / Player Behaviour
VSDCA Racial Vilification Code
VSDCA Injury Code
Cricket Victoria Memorandum and Articles of Association
“The Laws of Cricket” (2000 Code 2nd Edition – 2003)
VSDCA Strategy Plan
VSDCA Umpires Manual

The Criteria Assessment has been divided into the following categories:

1. Administration and Finance
2. Playing
3. Development and Coaching
4. Facilities

1. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

1.1 Incorporation

All clubs must be incorporated under the Corporations Law or the Association Incorporation Act 1984 (Vic).

The major benefit of incorporation is to avoid club members being held personally responsible for actions by their Club

1.2 Membership

Clubs must have a minimum of 50 members.

1.3 Annual Report

Annual Financial Statements must include:

- details of member numbers (VSDCA Memorandum)
- an Audit Report signed by a qualified auditor
- Financial Statements in accordance with Cricket Victoria Draft Financial Statements.
- signatures of the President and Treasurer or one of the former and one of the Secretary or Delegate.

A club must forward two signed copies of its Annual Report, including Financial Statements to the Cricket Victoria Secretary at least seven days prior to Cricket Victoria Annual General Meeting (Cricket Victoria
Memorandum and Articles of Association). Note: The VSDCA Secretary advises clubs of the deadline and collects club Annual Reports to forward to the Cricket Victoria Secretary.

1.4 Annual General Meeting

A club must hold its Annual General Meeting not later than 31st July in each year (VSDCA Rules).

1.5 Sponsorship

Cricket Victoria may enter sponsorship arrangements, which require the support of VSDCA clubs. Accordingly, VSDCA clubs must use their best endeavors to act in accordance with directives of Cricket Victoria in relation to the support of sponsors, including:

- displaying signage
- use of the sponsors’ product
- avoiding activities which may conflict with the sponsors’ interests.

1.6 VSDCA Player Awards

Any player who, during a season, has been suspended (after the conclusion of any available appeal) is ineligible to receive any VSDCA Best Player Award for that season.

1.7 Local Government

Clubs must:

- use their best endeavors to establish and maintain good working relationships with their local Councils.
- maximise use of the facilities during the playing season.
- avoid any acts, which are in breach of their occupancy agreements

1.8 Insurance (rewording under consideration)

Clubs must:
- has public liability cover for a minimum of $10 million
- avoid any acts, which may prejudice the insurance cover held by the VSDCA or Cricket Victoria

1.9 Delegates

The two delegates appointed by each club shall:

- attend all VSDCA Delegates’ meetings or appoint a proxy where possible
- report relevant information to their club officials and members as soon as necessary after each meeting.

1.10 The VSDCA clubs play competitive cricket in an atmosphere, which also encourages the players and club members to develop socially through:

- post match entertainment and gathering
- attendance at VSDCA representative games, finals and related social events
- the compulsory attendance of ten club members at the R.M. Hatch Annual Dinner

2. PLAYING

2.1 Prior to the commencement of each season, a club must confirm that it will field four teams in the VSDCA Program of Pennant Matches.

2.2 Clubs must use their best endeavors to host matches where requested by Cricket Victoria or the VSDCA, including:

- Country Week matches
- “R.M. Hatch” Under 15 matches
- VMCU Inter-Association matches
- Cricket Victoria Under 15 schoolboy matches
- VWCA District, Interstate and International matches
- VSDCA Representative and Finals matches

3. DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING

3.1 Club Coaches and “RM Hatch” Coaches / Managers must be qualified as a Level 1 Coach under the National Accreditation Scheme.

3.2 Clubs must field a team in the “RM Hatch” Under 15 competition.

3.3 Clubs should promote junior cricket through activities including:
- fielding junior teams
- conducting Have-a-Go programs
- conducting local junior clinics

3.4 Clubs should promote and support women’s cricket

4. FACILITIES

4.1 Clubs must have the required number of turf pitches to accommodate all scheduled home matches.

4.2 Final matches will generally be played on the home grounds of the teams finishing higher on the ladder at the end of the home and away matches than their respective opponent teams. Under the VSDCA Pennant and Finals Rules, the VSDCA Executive may relocate final matches from unsuitable grounds.

4.3 Match Day

(a) On Field

Home clubs must provide:

- a ground and pitch for all home games as approved by the VSDCA Executive, with good cricket pitch conditions and good outfield. Umpires are required to inspect and report on ground and pitch prior to play. It is expected that the Club undertake an inspection before the umpires arrive at the ground to ensure that any potential problems are attended to.
- a marked pitch with stumps set up. Note: It is not the umpires’ task to set up stumps.
- a clearly defined boundary which consists of a fence at the Club’s main ground.
- approved covers in accordance with rule 10 of the VSDCA Rules for Pennant Matches
- scoreboards for all grounds, displaying at least, team scores (wickets and runs) and overs bowled
- drinks, afternoon tea for teams, umpires and officials and spare match balls for both teams. If a new ball is taken in the second innings of a match, the bowling side must provide that ball.
- a report from the umpire(s) in relation to the condition of the ground and pitch during each day’s play, including confirmation that inspections by the umpire(s) have taken place.
- social room facilities at the main ground to facilitate the implementation of Criterion 1.10 with regard to post match activities as well as in connection with training sessions ,club meetings and associated administrative activities and fund raising events.
- facilities for the preparation and provision of food and beverages to the benefit of Club members, supporters and visitors to the main ground.
- lock up areas for the storage of equipment, nets, covers etc year round.
- off street parking facilities for players and match and event attendees to minimise any adverse impact on on-street parking and neighbourhood amenity.
- covered, sheltered areas for protection of players and spectators from inclement weather.
- at the Club’s second ground readily accessible change room facilities.

(b) Off-field

Home clubs must provide:
- at least for the 1st and 2nd elevens clean dressing rooms with hot showers
- a separate change room for the umpires
- a separate area for match scorers

Clubs must provide a scorer for the 1st X1 and should, where possible, provide a scorer for all other elevens.

4.4 A first-aid kit is required under the Injury Code at each match.

4.5.1 Visiting clubs must not take their own alcohol into home club venues. This is in contravention of the liquor licensing legislation.

4.6 Clubs must actively promote the VSDCA competition in their own region, including by the prominent display of signage as and when required by the VSDCA and Cricket Victoria
.

ANNEXURE A

NON - COMPLIANCE

1. Administration.
(a). Breaches of the By-Laws or Articles dealing with matters such as lodgment of Annual Reports, Audited Financial Reports, the holding of Annual General Meetings, declaration of the number of members etc. Up to $500 per Offence.

(b). Failure to lodge Documents or provide information by the due date or time:
Ø Details of Public Liability Insurance.
Ø Professional Coach or player.
Ø Written advice of ground availability, prior to the commencement of the season.
Ø Names of the “RM Hatch” Under 15 Registrations, Managers / Coaches.
Ø Names of “RM Hatch” Under 15 boys nominated for the Bolters Squad.
Ø Names of players available for selection in Representative Matches.
Ø Registration Lists.
Ø Failure to lodge VSDCA forms in relation to season details including, games played, finals squads and averages by the due dates.
Each Offence $50

(c) Failure to lodge Match Reports or Captains’ Report on Umpires by the due time.
Each Offence $30
(d) Failure to Phone Scores by the due time. Each Offence $30

2. Playing / Facilities Requirements.
Any breach of Items 2 and 4 of the Criteria Assessment which cover Playing Performance and Facilities requirements, on or off the ground, will be governed by the following:

First Breach - Clubs to receive a warning.
Second Breach - Maximum fine of $100.
Third or subsequent Breach - Maximum fine of $500 and / or suspension and / or loss of points.

3. Right of Appeal.
Clubs may appeal to the Appeals Board against the imposition of any of the above penalties on payment of $200.