Disciplinary Update
Author: Nick Archer
Date: 21/07/2022
Before the start of the 2022 season, all ECB accredited Premier Leagues were mandated to adopt a new set of Disciplinary Regulations to be known as the General Conduct Regulations (GCR) and a copy of the GCR, a variety of appendices and other relevant documentation have been available, since the beginning of April, to download from the BDPCL website by clicking on the “Resources” menu, then clicking on “Downloads”.
The GCR state that Level 1 breaches should result in a one match (or one week) suspension, but the Disciplinary Chair (David Manning) and the Disciplinary Officer (Nick Archer) agreed, at the start of the season, that BDPCL would suspend bans for Level 1 breaches for 24 months for first-time offenders. Sadly, discipline across both divisions of the League, over the last few weeks, has dipped to an all-time low, so the DC and DO have re-assessed the League strategy regarding Level One breaches reported by the umpires. From Saturday 23rd July 2022, onwards, all players reported for a Level 1 breach will be sanctioned with a one match suspension from BDPCL matches, unless the report is determined to be vexatious. All Level One and Level Two breaches will continue to be determined under the summary procedure, outlined in the GCR, while Level Three and Level Four breaches will be determined at a hearing.
BDPCL is, currently, in discussion with ECB regarding the publication of the names of all players who have been found guilty of breaches of the GCR, in 2022, along with a description of the breaches reported and the sanctions imposed by the DC. In previous seasons, BDPCL has been reluctant to publish the names of offenders but, it is hoped, that, in the future, the ability to “name and shame” them will reduce the number of reports received.
It is the League’s intention to circulate details of all disciplinary breaches and sanctions imposed by the DC or at a hearing from Monday 8th August 2022 onwards. However, any club player or club official that believes that policy is mistaken should put their reasons for withholding the information, in writing, to Nick Archer by 5pm on Friday 5th August 2022.
The GCR state that Level 1 breaches should result in a one match (or one week) suspension, but the Disciplinary Chair (David Manning) and the Disciplinary Officer (Nick Archer) agreed, at the start of the season, that BDPCL would suspend bans for Level 1 breaches for 24 months for first-time offenders. Sadly, discipline across both divisions of the League, over the last few weeks, has dipped to an all-time low, so the DC and DO have re-assessed the League strategy regarding Level One breaches reported by the umpires. From Saturday 23rd July 2022, onwards, all players reported for a Level 1 breach will be sanctioned with a one match suspension from BDPCL matches, unless the report is determined to be vexatious. All Level One and Level Two breaches will continue to be determined under the summary procedure, outlined in the GCR, while Level Three and Level Four breaches will be determined at a hearing.
BDPCL is, currently, in discussion with ECB regarding the publication of the names of all players who have been found guilty of breaches of the GCR, in 2022, along with a description of the breaches reported and the sanctions imposed by the DC. In previous seasons, BDPCL has been reluctant to publish the names of offenders but, it is hoped, that, in the future, the ability to “name and shame” them will reduce the number of reports received.
It is the League’s intention to circulate details of all disciplinary breaches and sanctions imposed by the DC or at a hearing from Monday 8th August 2022 onwards. However, any club player or club official that believes that policy is mistaken should put their reasons for withholding the information, in writing, to Nick Archer by 5pm on Friday 5th August 2022.