Code of Conduct

NT Cricket Code of Conduct & Behaviour Standards

NT Cricket Code of Conduct

Preamble

Cricket is a game that relies not only on adherence to the Laws but also on the spirit of fairness, respect, and sportsmanship. This Code of Conduct establishes clear behavioural expectations for all participants involved in NT Cricket competitions and activities.

Cricket holds a distinct place in Australian society and history. Its standing brings with it responsibilities to uphold high standards of conduct both on and off the field. This Code protects and promotes those standards to ensure cricket remains enjoyable, inclusive, and respectful.

Scope

This Code applies to all registered individuals within NT Cricket, including but not limited to:

  • Players

  • Coaches

  • Team managers

  • Umpires and match officials

  • Club and association administrators

  • Volunteers

  • Parents and guardians

  • Spectators

It applies to all settings connected to NT Cricket — matches, training sessions, meetings, online forums, and social media platforms.

Code of Conduct Offences and Levels

Each offence is categorised as Level 1 (Minor), Level 2 (Moderate), or Level 3 (Serious) to assist in grading conduct and determining appropriate penalties. 

When a breach is established, NT Cricket must assess and assign the appropriate offence level (Level 1, 2, or 3). This determination should take into account the following factors:

  • The degree of intent (e.g. whether the conduct was deliberate, reckless, negligent, or avoidable)
  • The impact of the conduct on the match and/or individuals involved
  • The nature and circumstances of the conduct
  • Any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances

1 – Leadership Accountability

Definition: Captains, coaches, team leaders, and club committee members must ensure play and conduct are managed within the spirit and Laws of the game.

Level Examples
Level 1 Failing to address minor misconduct by team members or non-compliance with umpire instructions
Level 2 Permitting or ignoring repeated or significant team misconduct
Level 3 Instructing or encouraging serious breaches of the Code of Conduct
 
 

2 – Equipment & Property Abuse

Definition: Participants must not abuse or damage cricket equipment, clothing, facilities, or ground infrastructure.

Level Examples
Level 1 Minor abuse of equipment or property (e.g. hitting stumps in frustration)
Level 2 Intentional damage or actions causing potential safety risk
Level 3 Serious damage to property or equipment or endangering participants or spectators

 

3 – Physical Misconduct

Definition: Physical assault or threatening physical harm to others is strictly prohibited.

Level Examples
Level 1 Inappropriate incidental contact (e.g. bumping)
Level 2 Deliberate pushing, throwing the ball in anger towards others
Level 3 Threatening or engaging in violence against another person

 

4 – Dissent

Definition: Participants must not show public dissent toward umpiring decisions or other officials.

Note: 

Without limitation, may include: (a) excessive, obvious disappointment with an Umpire’s decision; (b) an obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket; (c) 
shaking the head; (d) pointing or looking at the inside edge when given out lbw; (e) pointing to the pad or rubbing the shoulder when caught behind; (f) snatching the cap 
from the Umpire; (g) requesting a referral to the TV Umpire (other than in the context of a legitimate request for a referral as may be permitted in such Match); and (h) arguing or 
entering into a prolonged discussion with the Umpire about their decision. It shall not be a defence to any charge brought under this Article to show that the Umpire might have, or in fact did, get any decision wrong.

This offence is not intended to punish a batter showing their instinctive disappointment at their dismissal.

When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) should be considered: (a) whether the conduct contains an element of anger or abuse 
that is directed at the Umpire or the Umpire’s decision; (ii) whether there is excessive delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket; or (c) whether there is persistent reference 
to the incident over time.

Level Examples
Level 1 Obvious disappointment, excessive delay returning to position
Level 2 Displays of serious dissent (e.g. shaking head, snatching cap, pointing at pad)
Level 3 Intimidating or aggressively appealing at umpires

 

5 – Language & Communication

Definition: Participants must not use offensive, threatening, abusive, or discriminatory language or gestures.

The following will constitute an offence where the words used are:

  • highly offensive, including offensive words referencing genitalia;
  • directed at another Player, Umpire or another person, including when engaged in banter, or used in a critical or disparaging manner other than at one's self; or
  • screamed or yelled in a highly audible manner, the effect being that the audible obscenity would have been heard by patrons and fans without the use of microphones. 

This offence is not intended to cover any conduct that is likely to offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify any reasonable person in the position of a Player or Player Support Personnel or any other person (including spectator) on the basis of that person's race, religion, culture, descent, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and/or parental status. Such conduct is captured by the Clause 8 - "Vilification" of the NT Cricket's Code of Conduct & Behaviour Standards. 

 

6 – General Misconduct

Definition: Any behaviour detrimental to the image of the game or NT Cricket.

Level Examples
Level 1 Excessive appealing, minor breaches of uniform or equipment regulations
Level 2 Aggressive appealing, deliberate distractions, manipulation of match conditions or alcohol-related incidents
Level 3 Ball tampering, cheating, conduct that brings cricket into disrepute
 

7 – Inappropriate Gestures

Definition: Participants must not use crude, offensive, or obscene gestures.

Level Examples
Level 1 Making non-threatening but inappropriate gestures towards players, officials or spectators (e.g. pointing, dismissive or provocative hand signals)
Level 2 Gestures that are obscene or provoke a response
Level 3 Gestures that vilify or threaten based on personal characteristics
 

8 – Vilification

Definition: Racial, religious, gender-based, or other discriminatory abuse or harassment.

Level Examples
Level 3 Any act of racial, religious, sexual or cultural vilification
 

9 – Media & Public Commentary

Definition: Participants must not make statements (including online) that bring the game, a club, or NT Cricket into disrepute.

Level Examples
Level 3 Comments (including online) that denigrate players, officials, clubs, NT Cricket, Cricket Australia or commercial partners
 
 

10 – Social Media Misconduct

Definition: Posting offensive, abusive, discriminatory, or inflammatory content online, including trolling or personal attacks.

Level Examples
Level 1 Posting or sharing inappropriate content not directed at others
Level 2 Posting or sharing content that is offensive or abusive towards others
Level 3 Harassment, vilification or incitement to abuse online
 
 

11 – Parent & Spectator Misconduct

Definition: Abusive, threatening, or disruptive behaviour by parents or spectators directed at players, umpires, or others.

Level Examples
Level 1 Excessive yelling, criticism of decisions
Level 2 Abusive comments directed at players or officials
Level 3 Threatening behaviour, refusal to leave a venue, repeated misconduct
 

Enforcement

Breaches of this Code will be managed through the NT Cricket Disciplinary Procedures. Sanctions may include:

  • Warnings

  • Fines

  • Suspensions

  • Removal from matches or venues

  • Tribunal Hearings

  • Referral to Cricket Australia or other governing bodies

Note: Racial and other forms of vilification will be subject to NT Cricket's separate Anti-Discrimination and Vilification process prior to tribunal referral.

Documentation

Version: 2025.1
Approved by: NT Cricket Head of Clubs & Competitions
Effective Date: 01 April 2025
Review Date: Annually 

In keeping with our commitment to reconciliation, Northern Territory Cricket acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are privileged to play and administer the great game of cricket.

Our Head Office is located on the land of the Larrakia People (Darwin), while our Central Australian Office is located on the land of the Arrernte People (Alice Springs). We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Walkabout Wickets by Kirrae Whurrong artist Fiona Clarke (b.1963), represents cricket stars past, present and future, and the meeting places where they play.

Aunty Fiona is is a descendant of James 'Mosquito' Couzens and his brother Jonny Couzens, members of the first Australian cricket team who toured England in 1868.