Code of Conduct

Purpose

Challengers Cricket Club is a community of players, volunteers, and supporters from many faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. This Code of Conduct sets the minimum standard of behaviour expected from everyone associated with the Club. It applies on the field, off the field, online, and at any Club-organized event.

Our values

• Inclusion. Every member is welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, or first language.
• Respect. We treat each other, opponents, officials, and venues with dignity at all times.
• Integrity. We play fair, score honestly, and don't cheat — even when no one is watching.
• Volunteer spirit. The Club exists because people give their time freely. We are grateful for every contribution and never demand more than someone is willing to give.
• Newcomer-first. We are conscious that many of our members are new to Canada. We help each other, especially with logistics, language, and integration.

What we expect — On the field

• Show up on time. If you can't, communicate with the captain.
• Accept umpiring decisions without abuse, even when you disagree. Concerns about umpiring should be raised quietly with the captain after the over or innings.
• Play hard but play fair. No deliberate slow play, no claiming catches that didn't carry, no obstructing the field outside the laws.
• No sledging that targets race, faith, gender, sexuality, family, country of origin, or any personal trait. Banter is fine; cruelty is not.
• If you see a teammate sledging in a way that crosses the line, the captain or any senior player can call it out and shut it down on the spot.
• Respect the venue: leave it cleaner than you found it. Pick up your trash.

What we expect — Off the field

• Communication in WhatsApp, email, and in person remains respectful. No insults, no harassment.
• Internal Club business stays internal — including squad selection debates, financial discussions, and personnel matters. Disagreements get raised through the board, not on social media.
• Don't represent the Club to external parties (sponsors, leagues, media) without authorization from the board.
• Personal information shared by other members (contact details, family situations, medical details) is held in confidence.

Zero tolerance — what gets you removed

The following behaviour will result in immediate suspension and a board review, with possible permanent expulsion:

• Physical violence or threats of violence toward any person
• Sexual harassment or sexual misconduct of any kind
• Discrimination, hate speech, or slurs targeting protected characteristics
• Bullying or repeated targeted abuse of a teammate, opponent, or official
• Threats — financial, legal, or reputational — directed at any director, officer, member, or volunteer of the Club. This includes threats to file frivolous legal action, threats to remove a director without proper procedure, threats to publicly damage someone's reputation, and threats made to extract personal benefit (e.g., compensation, access, or special treatment) from the Club.
• Knowingly false claims or bad-faith motions against any director, officer, member, or volunteer. A pattern of unsupported allegations, retaliatory motions, or fabricated grievances is itself a violation of this Code regardless of the role of the person making the claims.
• Demanding unauthorized access to Club banking, financial accounts, or personal credentials of another member, director, or officer. Proper banking procedure requires in-person attendance at the bank with valid identification; it cannot be substituted by sharing of personal banking credentials.
• Misuse of confidential Club information (member contact details, financial records, internal communications, governance documents) for personal benefit, intimidation, or to gain leverage in disputes.
• Theft from the Club, members, sponsors, or venues
• Match-fixing, illegal betting on Club matches, or related corruption
• Bringing illegal substances to Club events
• Any criminal conduct that brings the Club into disrepute

Bad-faith claims and protection of governance

The Club takes seriously the protection of its governance structure from bad-faith conduct. The following principles apply:

• Reports made in good faith are protected. No one will be retaliated against for raising a legitimate concern about behaviour, governance, finances, or safety.
• Reports made in bad faith are themselves a violation. Knowingly false claims, fabricated grievances, retaliatory motions, or weaponized allegations made to extract personal benefit, silence a director, or damage another member's reputation are violations of this Code and grounds for discipline up to and including expulsion.
• A director's statutory voting rights cannot be stripped by accusation. Per the By-Laws Article 4.10.1 and the federal Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (CNCA s. 130, s. 141, s. 143), a Director's right to vote at meetings of the Board is statutory and cannot be removed by accusation, threat, or motion of other Directors. A pattern of attempting to circumvent these statutory protections is itself a violation of this Code.
• Proper procedure is required for disputes. Disagreements about Club operations, finances, or governance are raised through the board (via the President or any director) or through this Code's reporting channels — not through threats, public pressure, or unilateral action by individuals.

Anti-doping

Members are expected to comply with the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) when participating in any sanctioned competition. Recreational use of performance-enhancing substances during Club activities is prohibited.

Social media

• Personal social media is your own — but if you tag the Club, mention sponsors, or post about Club activities, you represent us by association. Post accordingly.
• Don't post photos or videos of teammates without their consent. Especially of young players or anyone who has opted out under the Volunteer Agreement.
• Don't share Club WhatsApp messages, internal documents, or board discussions externally.
• Sponsor logos and Club branding may only be used with board approval.

Reporting concerns

If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code, please report it. You have several options:

• Speak directly to the person involved if you feel safe doing so.
• Raise it with your captain or any board member.
• Email the board confidentially at contact@challengerscc.ca.
• For urgent safety concerns or criminal conduct, contact local police directly.

We will treat reports confidentially and will not retaliate against anyone who raises a concern in good faith. If a report involves a board member, that member will recuse themselves from the review.

Disciplinary process

For non-zero-tolerance violations, the Club follows a graduated approach:

1. Verbal warning from a captain or board member — for minor or first-time issues.
2. Written warning from the board — for repeated or more serious issues.
3. Suspension from Club activities for a defined period, decided by the board.
4. Permanent expulsion from the Club, decided by majority board vote.

For zero-tolerance violations, the process starts at suspension or expulsion, with the board reviewing the matter at its earliest opportunity. The accused will be given a fair opportunity to respond before any final decision.

Acceptance

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood, and accept this Code of Conduct, and that I will follow it in all my interactions on behalf of, or in connection with, Challengers Cricket Club.