All members are required to read the new policy before using the nets.
Welwyn Garden City Cricket Club Practice Facilities Policy
Purpose: The policy aims to ensure the safe and appropriate use of the practice facilities at Welwyn Garden City Cricket Club, fostering a conducive environment for all playing members while maintaining the facilities in optimal condition.
Kit & Equipment Rules:
- Kit Placement: Avoid placing kit bags on the artificial playing surface or within the hitting direction during practice sessions.
- Footwear: Wear appropriate footwear, such as rubber-soled (non-marking) cricket shoes or trainers. Spikes, heels, smooth soles, or street shoes are not permitted.
- Protection: Batters using a hard ball must wear adequate protective gear, including helmets, boxes, and pads.
- Under 18's Safety: All individuals under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while batting.
- Ball Usage: Only proper leather cricket balls or bowling machine balls are allowed in nets. Tennis balls or purpose-made "incrediballs" may be used in specific circumstances.
- Prohibited Items: Footballs, rugby balls, etc., are not permitted in the nets.
Net Safety Rules:
- No Spectators: Spectators are not allowed in the nets area for safety reasons.
- Preparation: Batters should pad up outside the net area.
- Bowling Protocol: Bowlers should only bowl when the batter is ready and should maintain visual contact with the batter. They must refrain from bowling if a loose ball is present in the net.
- Emergency Stop: A loud cry of "STOP" should immediately halt all activity in the nets to address any safety concerns.
- Ball Handling: Batters must promptly return balls, ensuring they are not left loose in the net.
- Safety Retrieval: Balls should be retrieved safely from the side netting by the batter, ensuring no imminent bowling and mutual awareness with other batters.
- Adherence to Cricket Laws: Bowling must adhere to the laws of cricket, including legal distance and action, and avoiding deliberate excess of short bowling.
- Maximum Occupancy: The recommended maximum number of players in a net at any given time is six, including two batters with one padding up and four bowlers.
Nets used for ARRANGED practice sessions:
- Supervision: Sessions must be conducted under the supervision of an ECB qualified coach.
- Safety Checks: Coaches must inspect the cage and netting before practice to ensure a safe environment.
- Equipment Storage: All equipment, including kit bags, must be stored away from the nets.
- Behavior: Players must behave appropriately during net practice.
- Post-Session: Equipment must be properly stored after each practice session.
Nets used by members outside normal practice sessions:
- Responsibility: The club does not accept responsibility for unaccompanied children using the nets, and members under 18 are the responsibility of their parents/guardians/carers.
- Safety Disclaimer: Users without a qualified coach's supervision do so at their own risk.
- Safety Standards: Proper protective wear, including helmets, is mandatory when using a hard ball.
- Cleanliness: Nets must be left in their original condition, with equipment returned to the changing room and any rubbish removed.
Bowling Machine Policy:
- Usage Protocol: Only senior members with prior committee agreement may use the bowling machine.
- Safety Responsibility: Qualified users are responsible for ensuring the safety of all users and must inform them of health and safety policies.
- Compliance: Users must adhere to the manufacturer's recommended operating procedures; non-compliance absolves the club of liability.
- Disciplinary Action: Improper use may result in suspension and potential disciplinary action.
- Charges: The committee reserves the right to introduce hiring charges if necessary.
- Damage Liability: Users causing damage may be liable for repair charges.
- Equipment Responsibility: Users accept full responsibility for the machine and accessories; loss results in replacement charges.
- Transportation: Prior permission is required from club officials for off-site use.
- Post-Use: Equipment must be returned to the storage unit after use.
Additional Guidelines:
- Nobody under the age of 18 may operate the bowling machine.
- Users must report any faults, damage, or problems with the nets or bowling machine to a relevant member of the committee immediately.