CODE OF CONDUCT & ETHICS

The USA Seniors Cricket Code of Conduct (“Code”) establishes the standards of behavior expected from all individuals participating in USA Seniors Cricket activities. The purpose of this Code is to promote the Spirit of Cricket, sportsmanship, integrity and fair play; provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment; establish clear expectations for players, team officials, match officials, administrators and other participants; address misconduct consistently and fairly; and protect the reputation and integrity of USA Seniors Cricket and the sport of cricket. Participation in USA Seniors Cricket activities is a privilege and carries an obligation to comply with this Code.

This Code applies to all individuals participating in, representing, organizing or supporting USA Seniors Cricket activities, including players and registered members; team captains and vice-captains; coaches and team managers; umpires and other match officials; tournament officials and administrators; committee members and volunteers; team representatives; individuals acting on behalf of USA Seniors Cricket; and, where applicable, spectators and other persons attending USA Seniors Cricket-sanctioned events. The Code applies to conduct occurring during matches and tournaments, at training sessions, at tournament venues, during team travel, at hotels and team accommodations, at official functions and social events, and in communications relating to USA Seniors Cricket, including social media and other digital platforms. For this Code, a participant means a person within the scope above. Off-field and online conduct must have a substantial connection to USA Seniors Cricket activities, participant safety, or the integrity of a competition. Mere disagreement or reputational discomfort is not sufficient to establish misconduct.

All participants are expected to uphold respect, integrity, sportsmanship, the Spirit of Cricket, accountability and safety. Participants shall treat teammates, opponents, officials, volunteers, administrators and spectators with dignity and respect. They shall act honestly and shall not engage in cheating, corruption, manipulation, deception or other conduct that undermines cricket. They shall compete fairly and demonstrate self-control regardless of the result of a match or tournament. Participants shall not engage in conduct that unnecessarily places another person at risk of injury.

Every player participating in USA Seniors Cricket shall:  Respect the Laws of Cricket and applicable tournament rules. • Respect match officials and accept their decisions. • Treat opponents and teammates courteously. • Avoid abusive, threatening or insulting language. • Avoid deliberate physical contact intended to intimidate or harm another person. • Refrain from discriminatory or harassing behavior. • Maintain appropriate behavior before, during and after matches. • Follow reasonable instructions from authorized officials. • Protect tournament facilities and equipment. • Avoid conduct that could bring USA Seniors Cricket or participating teams into serious disrepute. USASC | Version 1

Captains, coaches and team managers have additional responsibilities. They shall set an appropriate example; promote compliance with this Code; attempt to prevent misconduct by team members; cooperate with match and tournament officials; ensure that players understand applicable tournament rules; report serious incidents when required; avoid encouraging or condoning misconduct; and take reasonable steps to de-escalate disputes. A captain or team official may face disciplinary action where they knowingly encourage, authorize or fail to take reasonable action concerning serious misconduct. Captains and team officials must report suspected violence, sexual misconduct, serious harassment or discrimination, retaliation, and corruption promptly through Section 20. Their responsibility is to take reasonable steps within their authority; they are not automatically responsible for another person’s misconduct.

Umpires and other officials shall be treated with professionalism and respect. Prohibited conduct includes threatening or intimidating an official, abusive or insulting language, aggressive physical gestures, deliberate physical contact, persistent and unreasonable dissent, and following or confronting an official in an intimidating manner after a decision. A participant may respectfully request clarification of a decision where permitted by the Laws of Cricket and tournament procedures. Such communication must remain respectful.

The following conduct may constitute an offence under this Code: dissent through repeated or aggressive disagreement with an umpire’s decision; deliberately provoking, insulting or attempting to anger an opponent; personal abuse; threatening conduct; pushing, striking, kicking, grabbing or other prohibited physical contact; reckless or intentional dangerous conduct; and deliberate actions intended to obtain an unfair advantage in violation of the Laws of Cricket or tournament rules.

Participants remain subject to this Code outside the playing field when their conduct is connected to USA Seniors Cricket activities. Examples include fighting or physical altercations, threats or intimidation, harassment, destruction of property, serious disruptive behavior at hotels or tournament accommodations, abuse of tournament staff or volunteers, serious misconduct during team travel, and conduct that substantially damages the reputation or orderly operation of a USA Seniors Cricket event. Reputational harm must be supported by specific conduct and evidence. Good-faith reporting, lawful expression, and legitimate criticism are not misconduct merely because they cause embarrassment or disagreement.

USA Seniors Cricket expects all participants to contribute to an environment free from harassment and discrimination. USASC | Version 1 Prohibited conduct may include harassment or discriminatory treatment based on characteristics protected by applicable law, as well as bullying, repeated personal attacks, unwanted sexual conduct, or other serious mistreatment. Retaliation against an individual who makes a good-faith report or participates honestly in a disciplinary process is prohibited.

Unwelcome sexual comments, propositions, touching, gestures, messages or other inappropriate sexual behavior are prohibited. Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action regardless of whether it occurs at a match, tournament function, during team travel, at accommodation, through text messages, through social media, or through other electronic communications. Nothing in this section prevents reporting conduct to law enforcement or another appropriate authority where applicable. The reporting contact must promptly assess safety and support needs and offer reasonable protective arrangements, including separation or no-contact directions where appropriate. No complainant is required to confront the respondent or participate in mediation. Internal reporting does not replace any applicable external reporting obligation, and participants may contact appropriate authorities directly.

Participants are responsible for their online conduct. The following may constitute violations: threatening another participant online; cyberbullying or targeted harassment; posting discriminatory or abusive material directed at participants; sharing private or confidential information without authorization; impersonating USA Seniors Cricket officials; publishing materially false information while representing oneself as an authorized representative; and using digital platforms to intimidate, threaten or retaliate against a complainant or witness. This Code is not intended to restrict lawful expression or legitimate criticism of USA Seniors Cricket, its competitions or its decisions.

Participants shall protect the integrity of cricket. Prohibited conduct includes match manipulation, deliberate underperformance for an improper purpose, bribery, offering or accepting improper benefits intended to influence a match or competition, providing confidential information for an improper purpose, attempting to influence another participant to manipulate a match, and failing to report a credible approach concerning match manipulation when reporting is required under applicable rules. Participants must promptly report any credible approach to manipulate a match, offer a bribe, or misuse confidential competition information through Section 20, even if the approach is refused. USASC | Version 1

Participants must comply with all applicable USA Seniors Cricket, competition and governing-body rules concerning betting and gambling. No participant may use confidential cricket information for improper betting purposes or attempt to influence a match or competition for financial or other personal benefit. Where a separate anti-corruption or betting policy applies, that policy shall also govern the participant’s conduct. For USASC NPL 2026, all participants are prohibited from betting directly or indirectly on this competition or arranging a bet through another person, in accordance with Playing Conditions 17.7.7. For other USASC activities, a participant must not bet on a match or competition in which they play, officiate, organise, manage or otherwise have a role. Any broader applicable restrictions must be identified and communicated before participation.

rooms, hotels, transportation, cricket equipment, tournament property, and property belonging to other participants. Intentional or reckless damage may result in disciplinary action and, where appropriate, responsibility for reasonable repair or replacement costs.

USA Seniors Cricket recognizes that adults may consume alcohol where lawful. However, intoxication does not excuse misconduct. A participant may be subject to disciplinary action for behavior associated with alcohol or other substances when that behavior violates this Code. Participants shall not become violent or threatening, harass others, damage property, endanger themselves or others, drive while impaired, create significant disruption at an official event, or use illegal substances in connection with USA Seniors Cricket activities.

Participants shall comply with reasonable tournament requirements concerning registration, player eligibility, identification, match schedules, uniforms, match-day procedures, ground regulations, safety requirements, tournament communications, and reasonable instructions from authorized officials. Providing false information concerning player eligibility or registration may constitute serious misconduct.

Level 1 — Minor Misconduct: isolated minor dissent, inappropriate language not directed abusively at a person, failure to follow a reasonable administrative instruction, or minor unsporting behavior. Level 2 — Significant Misconduct: repeated dissent, abusive language, provocation, repeated unsporting conduct, or repeated violations following a warning. Threatening or intimidating conduct falls at this level only where the evidence establishes a lower degree of seriousness; credible threats of harm belong at Level 3 or 4. Level 3 — Serious Misconduct: serious threats, physical confrontation involving prohibited contact, fighting, serious harassment or discrimination, intentional dangerous conduct, significant property damage, or retaliation against a complainant or witness. USASC | Version 1 Level 4 — Gross or Exceptional Misconduct: serious physical assault, match manipulation, bribery or corruption, serious sexual misconduct, repeated serious violations, conduct creating a substantial threat to participant safety, or deliberate acts causing serious harm to cricket integrity. Harassment or discrimination also falls at this level where aggravated by violence, coercion, a substantial safety threat, or repeated serious conduct. Classification depends on the conduct proved, intent, actual or threatened harm, persistence, and surrounding circumstances. Incidental contact during normal play is not a physical confrontation. Significant property damage is assessed by repair or replacement cost, safety consequences, and disruption. Repeated serious violations means a new Level 3 or 4 offence following a final Level 3 or 4 finding within the preceding 24 months. The same prior finding must not be counted twice to increase a sanction.

Possible sanctions may include a verbal or written warning, official reprimand, match suspension, multiple-match suspension, tournament suspension, fine where authorized, removal from a tournament, suspension from USA Seniors Cricket, or expulsion for the most serious violations. The appropriate sanction should take into account the circumstances of each case. Sanctions must follow the process in Section 21 and the indicative ranges in Appendix A. A fine may be imposed only under an identified, pre-existing rule that states the authority, maximum amount, and payment terms. Restitution must reflect documented reasonable loss, give the participant an opportunity to dispute the amount, and avoid duplicate recovery. A decision must specify the sanction’s scope, start, end or completion condition, and any credit for temporary suspension.

USA Seniors Cricket may consider the seriousness and intent of the conduct; whether physical harm occurred or was threatened; whether the participant admitted responsibility; cooperation with the investigation; previous disciplinary history; whether the conduct was repeated; the participant’s role; whether the conduct affected the integrity of a match or tournament; relevant mitigating circumstances; and any other reasonably relevant factor. Similar cases should be treated consistently, while recognizing that no two cases are necessarily identical. Only final disciplinary findings may be treated as previous misconduct. An allegation, a decision to contest a charge, a good-faith appeal, or a request for procedural safeguards must not be treated as an aggravating factor. Any departure from Appendix A must be explained in writing.

Any person with relevant information may report suspected misconduct to the Conduct Officer listed in Appendix C. If that person is implicated or has a conflict, use the alternate contact. Oral reports must be recorded accurately and confirmed with the reporting person where practicable. Anonymous reports will be assessed on the available evidence; anonymity may limit investigation. Reports should identify, where known, the people involved, date, location, match or event, conduct, witnesses, and supporting evidence. Preserve original messages, recordings, and other relevant material. A person need not complete a formal form before a safety concern is addressed. Report safety concerns immediately and other incidents as soon as practicable, preferably within seven calendar days. This is a reporting target, not an automatic bar: delayed reports must still be assessed, especially where fear, USASC | Version 1 trauma, retaliation, or newly discovered evidence explains the delay. Reports required by Sections 5 and 12 must be made promptly and ordinarily within 48 hours after awareness, unless circumstances reasonably prevent this. The receiving official must acknowledge a report within three calendar days, assess urgent risk immediately, and identify the next step. Knowingly false or malicious reports may constitute misconduct; an unproven allegation or honest mistake alone does not. Good-faith reporting is protected from retaliation.

Preliminary review. Within seven calendar days after receipt, the Conduct Officer must assess scope, conflicts,

safety, and whether investigation is warranted. A closure must be recorded with reasons and communicated to the reporting person to the extent appropriate. The reporting person may ask the unconflicted governing body to review a closure within seven calendar days of notification.

Notice. Before substantive discipline is imposed, the respondent must receive written allegations, the provisions

and proposed offence level, possible sanctions, the identity of the decision-maker, and the material evidence to be relied upon. Redactions or summaries may protect safety or privacy only if sufficient detail remains for a meaningful response. Undisclosed material must not determine an adverse finding.

Response. Allow at least seven calendar days after notice and disclosure for a written response, evidence,

witnesses, and any conflict objection. Reasonable extensions and accessibility or language support must be considered. A participant may have a support person or representative at their own expense.

Investigation and hearing. An unconflicted investigator gathers relevant evidence, including evidence that may

support the respondent. A fair opportunity to address new adverse material must be given before decision. For disputed Level 3 or 4 allegations, provide an oral or remote hearing unless the respondent waives it in writing. Other cases may be decided on written submissions where fair. Questions to witnesses may be routed through the chair; direct confrontation is not required.

Proof and determination. USA Seniors Cricket bears the burden of establishing each alleged violation on the

balance of probabilities, meaning more likely than not. The decision-maker must assess reliability, relevance, and the complete evidence fairly. A failure to respond is not an admission; after reasonable notice, a matter may proceed on available evidence. The investigator must not decide the case.

Written decision. Every formal disciplinary decision must state the allegations, findings, evidence and reasons,

offence level, sanction and its duration or completion conditions, and appeal route and deadline. Give the respondent the decision and provide the reporting person an appropriate outcome summary, including protective arrangements relevant to them.

Timing. Aim to issue a decision within 30 calendar days after notice. If this is not practicable, explain the delay

and revised timetable in writing and update the parties at least every 14 calendar days. Temporary restrictions remain subject to Section 22.

Expedited cases. During an event, a shortened process may be used only where fair and practicable. Give the

allegations, material evidence, and a meaningful opportunity to respond, record reasons for any shortened deadline, and preserve appeal rights. If these safeguards cannot be met, use temporary measures under Section 22 pending the ordinary process. Immediate match-management decisions remain subject to applicable playing rules. Periods stated in days are calendar days, counted from the day after the relevant event or receipt of notice. Filing deadlines on weekends or public holidays at the principal office extend to the next working day. Hour- based safety and review deadlines run continuously from the triggering event. Reasonable extensions for good cause must be recorded; urgent protective duties remain in effect. USASC | Version 1

Where an immediate safety concern, serious disruption, or significant competition risk exists, the tournament director or Conduct Officer may impose proportionate temporary measures, including venue removal, temporary suspension, or contact restrictions. The least restrictive measure reasonably addressing the risk must be considered. Temporary action is protective and is not a finding of misconduct. Provide written reasons, scope, effective time, and review information as soon as practicable and within 24 hours. An unconflicted reviewer who did not impose the measure must review it within 72 hours, after allowing the affected person to respond where practicable. Record reasons for continuation, modification, or removal. Review continuing restrictions at least every 14 calendar days and sooner if material circumstances change. The affected person may request review at any time on new information or changed circumstances. Restrictions must end when no longer necessary. Credit time or matches already excluded against any equivalent final suspension.

The governing body must designate a Conduct Officer, alternate contact, and an unconflicted appointing authority in Appendix C before this Code takes effect. The Conduct Officer administers reports and case communications but must not investigate and decide the same case. An unconflicted decision-maker may hear Level 1 and 2 cases. Level 3 and 4 cases must be decided by a three- person panel appointed by the unconflicted appointing authority, by majority decision. No investigator, material witness, complainant, or person with a material personal or team interest may decide the case. External independent members may be appointed where internal independence is unavailable. Disclose panel membership and relevant potential conflicts before substantive review. A member with a material conflict must recuse. Participants may raise a supported conflict objection promptly; an unconflicted appointing authority must decide it with written reasons. If the ordinary appointing authority is implicated, the remaining unconflicted governing-body members must appoint an independent external authority. Panel members must act impartially, consider the evidence, protect confidentiality, and give reasoned decisions. Appeal members must have had no investigative, decision-making, or advisory role in the original matter.

A participant or team subject to a formal disciplinary decision has a right to appeal. Submit a written appeal to the appeal contact in Appendix C within 14 calendar days after receipt of the written decision. State the decision challenged, grounds, requested outcome, and supporting material. A reasonable extension may be allowed for good cause; no filing fee is required. Grounds are material procedural unfairness, a material conflict of interest, a finding not reasonably supported by the evidence, significant new evidence not reasonably available earlier, or a sanction that is disproportionate or inconsistent with this Code. An independent appeal decision-maker may hear Level 1 and 2 appeals; a three-person independent appeal panel must hear Level 3 and 4 appeals. The appointing and conflict safeguards in Section 23 apply. Acknowledge the appeal within three calendar days, give relevant parties a fair opportunity to respond to new material, and ordinarily issue a reasoned written decision within 21 calendar days after receipt. Explain any delay and revised date. USASC | Version 1 Filing an appeal does not automatically suspend the sanction. On request, an independent appeal reviewer must promptly consider a stay, ordinarily within 72 hours, taking account of safety, competition integrity, and prejudice if the sanction is served before review. The appeal body may affirm, set aside, reduce, or remit the decision for a new hearing. It must not increase a sanction solely because the participant appealed. Its reasoned decision is final within USA Seniors Cricket, subject to any applicable external review rights.

USA Seniors Cricket will seek to handle complaints and disciplinary matters appropriately and with reasonable confidentiality. Confidentiality does not prevent disclosure when necessary for conducting an investigation, protecting participant safety, implementing a disciplinary decision, complying with law, reporting suspected criminal conduct, or fulfilling applicable governing-body requirements. Case records must be stored securely with access limited to people who need them for authorized purposes. Parties must receive enough information for a fair process. The governing body must approve a retention and secure disposal schedule before adoption. Public outcome notices must be limited to what is reasonably necessary for safety, transparency, or enforcement and must distinguish allegations from final findings. This section does not prevent seeking confidential support, advice, or assistance from appropriate authorities.

Participants are expected to cooperate honestly with legitimate disciplinary investigations. A participant shall not destroy relevant evidence, knowingly provide materially false information, intimidate witnesses, interfere with an investigation, or retaliate against a person involved in the process. Cooperation requirements must be applied consistently with applicable rights and reasonable support needs. Seeking advice or declining to waive a protected right is not itself misconduct.

USA Seniors Cricket may take reasonable action concerning spectators, guests or other individuals whose behavior disrupts an event or creates a safety concern. Actions may include a warning, removal from the venue, restriction from future events, or referral to venue management or appropriate authorities.

Teams and team officials are expected to promote compliance with this Code. Where a team repeatedly demonstrates serious misconduct, USA Seniors Cricket may consider team-level measures in addition to individual discipline. Such measures may include a formal warning, team fine where authorized, match-related sanctions where permitted, tournament restrictions, or other appropriate action. USASC | Version 1 A team should not be disciplined solely because one individual commits misconduct unless applicable rules establish a basis for team responsibility. Before a team-level sanction, identify the rule establishing team responsibility and evidence of the team’s own conduct or repeated failures. Give the team representative notice, an opportunity to respond, a reasoned decision, and an appeal under Sections 21 and 24. Match-result changes or points deductions require express authority in the applicable competition rules.

This Code operates alongside applicable law, the Laws of Cricket, published tournament rules, eligibility requirements, and applicable governing-body policies. Appendix D must identify the actual policies and versions in force; no affiliation or external policy is assumed solely by a general reference. For USASC NPL 2026, the applicable competition document is Playing Conditions Version 1. Applicable law prevails. A binding governing-body rule or an expressly applicable specialist procedure takes priority within its defined subject matter. Otherwise, this Code supplies the disciplinary procedure. Participants must be told which process governs and why. Match-management powers under the playing rules remain distinct from subsequent disciplinary proceedings. For NPL 2026, Playing Conditions 17.7 sets minimum disciplinary safeguards that this Code shall not remove. Umpire factual judgments cannot be challenged through the disciplinary process. A match protest under 17.8 must be submitted within 30 minutes of result certification; an administrative appeal is due within 24 hours of the decision. Later-discovered eligibility evidence follows 2.4.8. These routes are distinct from the 14-calendar-day disciplinary appeal in Section 24. Coordinate overlapping proceedings where practicable, identify the scope of each, and consider any sanction already served for the same conduct to avoid disproportionate cumulative punishment. Nothing prevents reporting suspected criminal conduct or contacting an appropriate authority.

Retaliation is prohibited. No participant shall be penalized, threatened, intimidated or otherwise mistreated because they make a good- faith complaint, report suspected misconduct, participate in an investigation, provide truthful information, or exercise a right under the applicable disciplinary process. Authorised safety breaks, reviews, treatment and other approved stoppages are not time-wasting offences. Apply the separate warning and penalty regimes in Playing Conditions 17.6 and Section 8; do not duplicate a run adjustment for the same incident or period. A disciplinary report may accompany an authorised match penalty.

Amendments require approval by the authorized governing body, a recorded version and effective date, and notice to participants before taking effect. Apply the substantive conduct rules and available sanctions in force when the conduct occurred. A later amendment must not retrospectively create an offence or increase a penalty. Procedural changes may apply to pending matters only where permitted by applicable requirements and where they do not materially prejudice a fair process. USASC | Version 1

Questions concerning interpretation or application of this Code shall be determined by the authorized governing body or disciplinary authority of USA Seniors Cricket. Where a provision is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue to the extent permitted by applicable law. Interpretations must be consistent with the published text, fair notice, and the safeguards in this Code. A person involved in a case must not use interpretive authority to bypass conflict rules or appeal rights.

By participating in USA Seniors Cricket activities, I acknowledge that:

I have had an opportunity to review the USA Seniors Cricket Code of Conduct.

I understand the standards of conduct expected of me.

I agree to comply with the Code and applicable USA Seniors Cricket rules.

I understand that violations may result in disciplinary action.

I agree to cooperate honestly with legitimate disciplinary proceedings.

I understand that I have the appeal rights set out in Section 24.

Name: ______________________________________ Role/Team: __________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ________________________________________ The registration process must provide access to the applicable Code and record acknowledgment before participation. Signing acknowledges the Code and does not waive any rights provided by it or by applicable law. USASC | Version 1