Is it time Clubs look at the three fingers pointed back at themselves before pointing their finger in the press about a concern of theirs.
From time to time throughout the season players/captains/club officials are constantly criticizing the Governing Body of Sports or blaming Referees or Umpires.
The major complaint is that the officials are ruining the game, when in fact the players and clubs play the biggest role in the games demise.
Ask yourself, how many games have you been to and heard players or officials with the club verbally abuse an official – Don’t say never, because you all can point out when it is an opponent, but you all turn a blind eye when it is your player.
But when officials say enough is enough and refuse to turn up and it could be several other reasons, one feels the need to run to the media and voice a concern!
Now on the other hand, ask yourself when was the last time my club disciplined a player for his or her behavior toward an official?
I will more than likely get challenged a lot, however I am pretty sure if a club writes back and suggests that they have with one, I can more than likely pick out several other incidents that have not been addressed.
Now in the first of a three part report, why don’t all clubs get together and adopt rules that they can implement themselves to deal with their players internally.
Anti-Harassment and Abuse Policy of Officials and Referees for Bermuda Competitions
This policy is separated into 4 sections: Players, Coaches, Parents and Spectators, Officials and Referees. In all cases the policy shall outline the conduct expected, the administration in enforcing the policy and penalties for breach.
Players
Players at all times should adhere to the following code of conduct. Players are not to make overly verbal or animated objections to a referee's or umpires decision. Players are not to disrupt or hinder the flow of the game in objecting to a referee's decision. Players are to address any complaint or queries about a referee's decision through their team captain or coach and only during a break. Players are not to make statements of an abusive nature towards a referee, the nature of which includes but is not limited to:
Performance or competence of referee or partner Racial discrimination Gender or sexuality based remarks Perceived bias of a referee towards an opposing team Players are not to use audible obscenities, which can be heard by other players, spectators or officials.
Clubs, Administration and Enforcement Procedures for a minor breach of the players' code of conduct the referees should follow the outlined procedure in order to administer the penalty.
Warn the player of his/her breach of the code Advise the player's coach of the warning Advise the other referee of the warning Upon a repeat offense the penalty should be invoked
Where the general conduct of a number of players in the team is not satisfactory the referee or umpire may issue a warning to the entire team and upon repeat offenses immediately put a stop to the game.
Penalty:
A Club Official not on the teamsheet should be called on the player and administered as per the Basketball Australia, Official Basketball Rules.
For serious breaches the Referee or umpire may immediately call an end to the match and take his or her officials off the field of play.
Tomorrow we will address the Coaches
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