It is a requirement of participation in any cricket match run by Affiliates and Associations of CNSW that players must be registered to the relevant Association prior to the commencement of the day’s play. All cricket participants are required to accept the Terms and Conditions of Player Registration for Cricket in New South Wales. Importantly, these conditions require that players must be registered with a club and/or association and provide true and accurate information when registering. Any club or association who uses fill-in players must make sure that those players are provided with a copy of the Terms and Conditions so that they are aware of their obligations as a cricket participant.
It is the responsibility of the club or association to track fill-in players and ensure that they do not play multiple matches without completing the registration process. Instances of fill-in players who have played multiple matches while unregistered and/or have provided false information about their identity to enable playing as a ‘fill-in player’ without completing the registration process are circumstances that are considered a threat to competition integrity and breach the Terms and Conditions of Player Registration. It is important from a risk management perspective that players are registered prior to playing cricket. Any Association that becomes aware of this may also choose to cancel or suspend the player’s registration, as is permitted under the Terms and Conditions.
Cricket NSW can take specific actions regarding players who are either unregistered or playing too many times as a fill-in based on the By-Laws:
- Player Registration Requirement: No player is eligible to participate in a cricket match unless they have registered with an affiliate or association through the NSWCA's online registration system and paid the applicable fees. If a player is found to be unregistered, the Association or Cricket NSW has the authority to refuse or suspend their participation.
- Fill-in Players: Fill-in players must register within 7 days of their first match. If a player plays a second or subsequent match without registering as a cricket participant, they may be required to show cause why they should not be banned from further participation. In CNSW managed competitions, fines or deduction of competition points may be imposed, depending on the specific violation and the discretion of Cricket NSW.
- Enforcing Registration: Cricket NSW reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or cancel a player's registration at its discretion if there are any breaches of the registration process, such as providing false information or violating integrity policies.
- Consequences for Affiliates: If an affiliate knowingly allows unregistered players to participate in matches, it can face fines, suspension, or disqualification.
For CNSW managed competitions (including where the Association is in a strategic or service partnership with CNSW) staff will work with the local committee to audit for compliance and breach notices may be issued. In serious or repeated cases, competition points may be deducted, and players may be refused future registration.