PDCA

[Lightning McQueen]

Womens comp in it's annual bit of disarray.

Going to be some regrading once again after this round.

I'm hoping the PGCC #3 wins the Grade 3 player of the year.

[Observer55]

10x Two day Clubs and 5x LO Grades. Not a great trend when there is so much more cricket being played there days than there was 10 years ago.

6x LO Grades

How many forfeits?

[Observer55]

Interesting letter from Central United being circulated…

[whufc]

Interesting letter from Central United being circulated…

..........so what is the content.

[Observer55]

Interesting letter from Central United being circulated…

..........so what is the content.

From the brief look I got titled ‘Racism in PDCA’ and general jist is something along the lines of ‘we are all for inclusivity and diversity if you look like us, walk like us and talk like us’ ‘please bring a rule in to only speak English between the hours of 08:00-20:00 on Saturdays’

Virginia have communicated in Greek since Jesus transferred from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, with more families coming into the area from non English speaking countries I would have thought understanding and education a better way forward than calling for a silent vote to remove a club.

[The Bedge]

18/11/2024
Racism within PDCA
Recently, multiple teams in the association have encountered issues with non-English communication during games. While we value diversity in cricket and aim for inclusivity, some teams do not adhere to this principle.
As a PDCA member club for over 30 years, we have noticed changes, especially in the past four years, with new clubs joining. Although some changes are positive, others have not upheld the spirit of cricket. Addressing racism is challenging, but it is crucial to protect our all our members & volunteers from feeling uncomfortable while participating in match day activities.
Recently, our club experienced a disagreement with another club. This club has had conflicts with us as well as with other teams within the association. Many of these issues appear to stem from language barriers and differences in understanding the rules of the game, particularly related to non-English speaking members.
Our club respects that in this specific incident our players reactions were not acceptable we also feel as if the issues leading up to this could have been avoided if clubs were asked to speak English when playing cricket and around scoring tables/club volunteers.
Our specific game day situation highlighted a cultural aspect which I don’t think should be accepted within PDCA and SACA. On the day of the incident, the captain of CU spent three overs negotiating with this team to ensure the game would conclude without any issues. Unfortunately, the response was repeatedly, "It's our culture." I must disagree, as the statements made are not acceptable in any culture, especially in Australia where we work thoroughly to implement child safety documents and member protection policies.
There are two factors of this letter I would like brought to attention and after speaking with many member clubs over the past three weeks this many feel this issue has been going on for far to long and many clubs are afraid to speak up due to the complexity of the subject.
The first is we are asking for a ruling of within a certain proximity of the scoring tables and within the field of play that English is to be spoken, To protect all clubs and create an safe inclusive environment within the game of cricket.
The second is we are asking as a member club, We request that the PDCA conduct a silent vote at the next delegates meeting, with each club casting one vote, regarding the position of Hazara Pioneers within the association. This specific issue has impacted player and supporter retention for our club and has caused differing views among clubs they have played against. The club in question has had recurring issues, and while they initially adhere to the spirit of cricket, problems tend to reappear within weeks. We believe this club will not add value to the association over the coming years, and their style of play does not align with the values of the association.

Yours sincerely
Rhiannon Fenwick

[whufc]

I'm no lawyer but given most games are played on public land I'm going to find it very difficult to believe a league would be allowed to legally require a certain language be spoken on field in a public place.

Could you imagine the ICC coming out and saying that the Indian players must speak English this whole series as well as all their fans in the stadium.

[OKC!]

The second is we are asking as a member club, We request that the PDCA conduct a silent vote at the next delegates meeting, with each club casting one vote, regarding the position of Hazara Pioneers within the association. This specific issue has impacted player and supporter retention for our club and has caused differing views among clubs they have played against. The club in question has had recurring issues, and while they initially adhere to the spirit of cricket, problems tend to reappear within weeks. We believe this club will not add value to the association over the coming years, and their style of play does not align with the values of the association.

Yours sincerely
Rhiannon Fenwick

I love the Fenwicks, but i think that they missed the mark with this. You could say the same for Units in bold above.

[whufc]

The second is we are asking as a member club, We request that the PDCA conduct a silent vote at the next delegates meeting, with each club casting one vote, regarding the position of Hazara Pioneers within the association. This specific issue has impacted player and supporter retention for our club and has caused differing views among clubs they have played against. The club in question has had recurring issues, and while they initially adhere to the spirit of cricket, problems tend to reappear within weeks. We believe this club will not add value to the association over the coming years, and their style of play does not align with the values of the association.

Yours sincerely
Rhiannon Fenwick

I love the Fenwicks, but i think that they missed the mark with this. You could say the same for Units in bold above.

Yeah agree. Missed the mark by an absolute mile.

That isn't to say the PDCA may not be perfect and i dont know what they do or not but they definitely should potentially produce the rules/by laws in multiple languages if required. In this day and age it takes about 30 seconds to translate an entire document in pretty much any language on the planet. They may already be doing so.

[Lightning McQueen]

I'm no lawyer but given most games are played on public land I'm going to find it very difficult to believe a league would be allowed to legally require a certain language be spoken on field in a public place.

Could you imagine the ICC coming out and saying that the Indian players must speak English this whole series as well as all their fans in the stadium.

I can't see anywhere in the letter about what language to speak.

I don't see how "ALL" clubs should be able to cast a vote on their existence, I think it should be addressed to those it affects, subsequently the PDCA could lob up at their games randomly and in civilian clothing.

[OKC!]

I'm no lawyer but given most games are played on public land I'm going to find it very difficult to believe a league would be allowed to legally require a certain language be spoken on field in a public place.

Could you imagine the ICC coming out and saying that the Indian players must speak English this whole series as well as all their fans in the stadium.

I can't see anywhere in the letter about what language to speak.

I don't see how "ALL" clubs should be able to cast a vote on their existence, I think it should be addressed to those it affects, subsequently the PDCA could lob up at their games randomly and in civilian clothing.

The first is we are asking for a ruling of within a certain proximity of the scoring tables and within the field of play that English is to be spoken, To protect all clubs and create an safe inclusive environment within the game of cricket.

Just there

[wenchbarwer]

Creating an inclusive environment by only allowing one language to be spoken. Okay then...

[Armchair expert]

"Our specific game day situation highlighted a cultural aspect which I don’t think should be accepted within PDCA and SACA. On the day of the incident, the captain of CU spent three overs negotiating with this team to ensure the game would conclude without any issues. Unfortunately, the response was repeatedly, "It's our culture." I must disagree, as the statements made are not acceptable in any culture, especially in Australia where we work thoroughly to implement child safety documents and member protection policies."

Any context for what happened here?

[OKC!]

From what i have been told, there was an altercation on the field and the Captain (Fenwick) went off the field and spoke at length to the opposition about calming the situation down. There was apparent threats of a physical and sexual abuse to the CU side about players daughters/wifes/partners.

This is what i have been told by a player at CU.

[Lightning McQueen]

I'm no lawyer but given most games are played on public land I'm going to find it very difficult to believe a league would be allowed to legally require a certain language be spoken on field in a public place.

Could you imagine the ICC coming out and saying that the Indian players must speak English this whole series as well as all their fans in the stadium.

I can't see anywhere in the letter about what language to speak.

I don't see how "ALL" clubs should be able to cast a vote on their existence, I think it should be addressed to those it affects, subsequently the PDCA could lob up at their games randomly and in civilian clothing.

The first is we are asking for a ruling of within a certain proximity of the scoring tables and within the field of play that English is to be spoken, To protect all clubs and create an safe inclusive environment within the game of cricket.

Just there

Thank you

[OKC!]

Thank you

welcome

[The Bedge]

I thought the letter was a bit cringe, and with all due respect to Rhiannon, not well written.. but that aside she's entitled and welcomed to that.

Think there is a bit to unpack, and my opinion is my opinion, not necessarily reflective on others.

1. Most of our new arrivals / culturally & linguistically diverse participants are 1st generation arrivals. As they and their children in particular assimilate into Australian lifestyle and customs, the language barrier / differences will dissipate. Already seeing this at the bottom end junior age groups where English is becoming more predominate as the main language.

2. How and what people speak during the game, at the shops, to their friends or whatever I really couldn't care less. If they're talking to each other in language, it's not my business and clearly not talking to me, so I have no need to understand what they're saying. Further to that, if I feel they're directing comments towards me in language, well that's wonderful - but I don't understand so no f**ks given.. can't insult me if I don't know what is said.

3. A vote from broader club members on a club that only plays one division against 9 other teams isn't fair - why should say Enfield vote on the removal of a club it doesn't play against?

4. Hazara do have history it's true and have had run ins with clubs - we had one last year - but it seems Hazara vs Central United is quite the ongoing and deep-seated dislike and "rivalry" that tends to result in an incident almost every time they play each other... also, whilst Hazara have history - so do Units.

5. Comment related to what was exchanged during their match and the rhetoric of "It's our culture" seems like an unsure comment and can't help but question the validity of this accusation - no one was there, taking this comment at face value, we are expected to understand and believe that a side justified the threats and sexual abuse of people for no reason or explanation than "its our culture".

6. Aside from those two clubs, the realisation is across the board from U10 to A grade, new arrivals make up the majority of participants. We need to learn to respect each other, be open and understanding and work together.

After all that, I will say though that "Hazara" group as a general whole (not just cricket) don't have a great reputation around my area and amongst some of the other communities I deal with.

[Observer55]

From what i have been told, there was an altercation on the field and the Captain (Fenwick) went off the field and spoke at length to the opposition about calming the situation down. There was apparent threats of a physical and sexual abuse to the CU side about players daughters/wifes/partners.

This is what i have been told by a player at CU.

I have been told a very similar story.

However, none of this if a language barrier or an ethnicity issue. Also words should never incite violence, however with my personal experiences within PDCA inaction has created an environment where you do something about it yourself because following the right channels lead to deaf ears.

[whufc]

I thought the letter was a bit cringe, and with all due respect to Rhiannon, not well written.. but that aside she's entitled and welcomed to that.

Think there is a bit to unpack, and my opinion is my opinion, not necessarily reflective on others.

1. Most of our new arrivals / culturally & linguistically diverse participants are 1st generation arrivals. As they and their children in particular assimilate into Australian lifestyle and customs, the language barrier / differences will dissipate. Already seeing this at the bottom end junior age groups where English is becoming more predominate as the main language.

2. How and what people speak during the game, at the shops, to their friends or whatever I really couldn't care less. If they're talking to each other in language, it's not my business and clearly not talking to me, so I have no need to understand what they're saying. Further to that, if I feel they're directing comments towards me in language, well that's wonderful - but I don't understand so no f**ks given.. can't insult me if I don't know what is said.

3. A vote from broader club members on a club that only plays one division against 9 other teams isn't fair - why should say Enfield vote on the removal of a club it doesn't play against?

4. Hazara do have history it's true and have had run ins with clubs - we had one last year - but it seems Hazara vs Central United is quite the ongoing and deep-seated dislike and "rivalry" that tends to result in an incident almost every time they play each other... also, whilst Hazara have history - so do Units.

5. Comment related to what was exchanged during their match and the rhetoric of "It's our culture" seems like an unsure comment and can't help but question the validity of this accusation - no one was there, taking this comment at face value, we are expected to understand and believe that a side justified the threats and sexual abuse of people for no reason or explanation than "its our culture".

6. Aside from those two clubs, the realisation is across the board from U10 to A grade, new arrivals make up the majority of participants. We need to learn to respect each other, be open and understanding and work together.

After all that, I will say though that "Hazara" group as a general whole (not just cricket) don't have a great reputation around my area and amongst some of the other communities I deal with.

I'm led to believe the Hazard cricket team makes up a fair portion of what in winter is Adelaide amateur soccer team Ghan United. If true that side has been a fairly large issue for the SAASL including a suspension from competition as a club at one point.

[The Bedge]

I'm led to believe the Hazard cricket team makes up a fair portion of what in winter is Adelaide amateur soccer team Ghan United. If true that side has been a fairly large issue for the SAASL including a suspension from competition as a club at one point.

Dunno.. but I was informed by one of our Afghan juniors that "Hazara" represents a tribal group of Afghanistan - like Pashtun.

Having said that, not fair to throw a blanket over a whole group, or paint everyone with the same brush - there are dickheads in every ethnicity, country, background, walk of life - let's also not forget there is another "Hazara" cricket side playing in Grade 1 who have nothing to do with this side, but have the same cultural background, and doesn't seem like there have been any issues with them.