Darwin & Districts CC - Resources

NT Cricket Disciplinary Process

1. Introduction

This document outlines the disciplinary procedures for NT Cricket competitions, including reporting, hearings, appeals, and penalties. It aims to provide a transparent, fair, and efficient system that upholds the spirit of the game.

Outcomes of Tribunal and Appeals processes will be published via the NT Cricket Conducts Register at https://www.ntcricket.com.au/associations/ddcc/resources/conducts-register.

Disciplinary Process Workflow Summary

1)  Incident Occurs – A reportable offence takes place.

2)  Notice of Incident Submitted – Umpires, club officials, or NT Cricket representatives submit an incident report within 24 hours.

3)  Review by NT Cricket Disciplinary Panel – The panel assesses the Notice of Incident and determines whether a formal charge should be laid.

4)  Charge Laid & Notification Sent – The player/club is formally notified and given the option to accept the charge (Fixed Penalty) or contest it.

5)  If the charge is accepted – A Fixed Penalty is applied; the matter is concluded.

6)  If the charge is contested – The matter proceeds to a Tribunal Hearing for independent adjudication.

7)  Tribunal Hearing – The panel determines whether the player is guilty and, if so, applies an appropriate penalty.

8)  Appeal (Optional) – If dissatisfied with the Tribunal outcome, a player/club may lodge an appeal within five days.

9)  Appeal Heard by Appeals Panel – A separate panel hears the appeal and issues a final decision.

10)  Final Decision Issued – The appeal outcome is binding and concludes the process.

 

2. Code of Conduct & Fixed Penalties System

The NT Cricket Code of Conduct establishes the foundation of the NT Cricket Disciplinary Process, ensuring that all participants uphold the integrity and spirit of the game. This is reinforced by the NT Cricket Fixed Penalties Policy, which provides a structured framework for addressing misconduct with consistent and fair outcomes.

2.1 Fixed Penalty Table & Early Guilty Plea Reduction

NT Cricket applies a Fixed Penalties System to ensure consistent and fair disciplinary outcomes. Players may accept an early guilty plea, which entitles them to a reduced sanction as indicated in the Fixed Penalty Table.

How the Early Guilty Plea & Good Behaviour Penalty (GBP) Work:

  • Players who accept an early guilty plea can receive a reduced sanction as per the Fixed Penalty Table.
  • The Good Behaviour Penalty (GBP) allows additional leniency, such as a formal caution or suspended sentence for low-level offences.
  • GBP is only available when a player accepts an Early Guilty Plea.

 

2.2 Eligibility for an Early Guilty Plea & Good Behaviour Penalty

To be eligible for an Early Guilty Plea & GBP, the player must:

  • Accept the charge without contesting.
  • Have no prior offences in the past three seasons.
  • Have no active A Grade Mentions (i.e., a disciplinary mention in the past 12 months).
  • Submit a written letter of regret or apology, particularly where the incident involved an umpire or another player.
  • Apply for GBP by 12:00 pm on the next business day after the charge is issued.

 

2.3 Suspended Sentences

A suspended sentence remains active for 12 months from the date of the original offence. If, during this period, any of the following occur:

  • The player is subsequently reported and accepts a fixed penalty for a new offence.
  • The player is found guilty by the Disciplinary Panel.
  • The player is suspended by the Executive or Investigation Committee.

The full suspended sentence will be added to the new penalty. This ensures repeat offences are dealt with appropriately and discourages repeated misconduct.

2.4 Education-Based Sanctions

For offences involving Racial or Religious Abuse, players will be required to attend a mandatory education session as part of their penalty. Additional conditions include:

  • First offence: Education session + suspension (as per the fixed penalty table).
  • Repeat offence: Longer suspension and additional education requirements.
  • Failure to attend the education session will delay reinstatement to competition eligibility.

These sanctions aim to promote understanding and accountability while ensuring respect and inclusivity within NT Cricket competitions.

2.5 Serving Suspensions

Suspended players are ineligible to participate in any NT Cricket competition until their playing day suspension has been fully served. Suspensions must be served in the appropriate grade, following these guidelines:

  • The grade order for serving suspensions is as follows: A, T20, B, Sun1, C, Sun2, Women, D, Sun3, U18s, Juniors.
  • If a player has played across multiple grades, the suspension must be served in the highest grade based on that grade's three most recent fixtures.
  • Suspensions do not count for matches forfeited by the player’s team, bye matches, or matches abandoned without play.

3. Reporting & Umpire Advocacy

3.1 Notice of Incident & Reporting Process

NT Cricket uses a Notice of Incident system to replace direct match-day reporting. This process ensures consistency and provides time for initial review before formal charges are laid.

Submitting a Notice of Incident:

  • A Notice of Incident may be submitted by umpires, club officials, or NT Cricket representatives.

  • The report must be submitted within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.

  • Notices are submitted via the official online portal or by email to the NT Cricket Disciplinary Panel.

Review of the Notice:

  • The NT Cricket Disciplinary Panel will review the notice to determine whether a formal charge is warranted.

  • If a charge is warranted, it will be formally issued, and the relevant club and participant will be notified.

Notification of Charge:

  • NT Cricket will notify the player and club of the charge by 12:00 pm on the next business day.

  • The notification will include:

    • Details of the charge,

    • The applicable Fixed Penalty or guideline offence level,

    • The option to accept the charge or contest it.

Next Steps:

  • If the charge is accepted, a Fixed Penalty is applied and the matter is concluded.

  • If the charge is contested, the matter proceeds to a Tribunal Hearing as outlined in Section 4.

4. Tribunal Hearing Process

4.3 Hearing Procedure

The Tribunal Hearing will follow a structured process:

a. Opening & Acknowledgement

  • All attendees are provided with the Tribunal Hearing Procedures and must acknowledge their understanding.
  • Notice is given if proceedings will be recorded.

b. Attendees

  • Tribunal Chair and Panel Members
  • Reporting Umpire(s) and their Advocate
  • Reported Player and their Advocate
  • Witnesses (as required)

c. Hearing Procedure

  • All witnesses, except the player and reporting umpire(s), are asked to leave the room until called.
  • The Tribunal Chair reads the charge and requests a plea from the player.
  • The Reporting Umpire(s) or their Advocate provide evidence.
  • The Player or Advocate may question the Umpire(s) based on the submitted report.
  • The Player or Advocate provides a statement.
  • Witnesses, if any, are called to give statements and may be questioned.
  • The Tribunal Panel deliberates in private and delivers a verdict.
  • If found guilty, the player may submit a character reference before the penalty is determined.
  • The Tribunal Chair issues the penalty and explains the right to appeal, including outlining the appeals process and submission requirements.

 

5. Appeals Process

5.1 Lodging an Appeal

  • A player or club may appeal a Tribunal decision if they believe the verdict was unjust or the penalty inappropriate.
  • Appeals must be submitted in writing to NT Cricket within five (5) clear days of the Tribunal decision being issued.
  • Appeals must clearly state the grounds on which they are being made (e.g. procedural error, disproportionate penalty, new evidence).
  • A non-refundable $200 appeal fee is payable at the time of submission. This fee will be refunded if the appeal is successful.

 

6. Administration & Documentation

  • NT Cricket will ensure that all attendees and advocates at the Tribunal and Appeal Hearings are made aware of and acknowledge the Tribunal Hearing Procedures.
  • A recording of both Tribunal and Appeal Hearings may be taken, with prior notice to all attendees.
  • The Tribunal Administration Form and, where relevant, the Appeals Summary Form must be completed and submitted to NT Cricket for record-keeping.
  • All records will be stored securely and used as reference in future proceedings if necessary.
  • Summary outcomes may be published in accordance with NT Cricket’s transparency guidelines.

 

7. Final Notes & Implementation

  • Tribunal and appeal outcomes will be published on the NT Cricket website via the Conducts Register.
  • This policy will be reviewed annually to maintain alignment with best practice.
  • All Tribunal Hearings and Appeals will be documented and securely stored to ensure transparency and accountability.

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.