Maitland cricket authorities are taking decisive action against umpire abuse with the implementation of a strict zero-tolerance policy that could see teams lose competition points or face removal from tournaments entirely.
Immediate Action Following Concerning Incidents
The crackdown comes after two separate incidents of alleged verbal abuse against match officials occurred over a single weekend, with one incident taking place during a senior fixture and another at a junior game. Both matters are now under investigation by the Cricket NSW Integrity Unit and the Maitland District Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association.
In a joint statement released on Friday night, the Maitland District Cricket Association (MDCA) and Maitland District Junior Cricket Association (MDJCA) declared that any form of abuse towards umpires would no longer be tolerated across all senior and junior competitions.
Serious Consequences for Poor Behaviour
The associations have outlined severe penalties that may be imposed immediately on teams, players, officials, or clubs found to have engaged in or failed to control umpire abuse. These sanctions extend beyond standard Code of Conduct punishments and include:
- Loss of competition points
- Financial penalties
- Removal of teams from competitions
MDCA president Mark Warland confirmed that the associations are looking to adopt additional measures to protect match officials, stating that continued abuse would make it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain umpires.
Parents Identified as Part of the Problem
Laurence Borg, secretary of MDCUSA and treasurer of NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, welcomed the new policy, noting that poor behaviour wasn't limited to players alone. With nearly four decades of umpiring experience, Borg observed that parents often contribute to the problem through over-excitement and living their sporting dreams through their children.
"They get so excited that they forget what their behaviour should be like, especially in front of their children," Borg told the Newcastle Herald.
MDJCA president Fletcher Williamson emphasized the importance of creating a positive environment, stating that accepting umpires' decisions is fundamental to the sport. He indicated that deducting competition points from teams has become necessary as a deterrent against poor behaviour.
The move follows similar initiatives in other sporting codes, with Northern NSW Football having implemented its own zero-tolerance policy at the beginning of 2024 to protect officials and create safer sporting environments.
