MANNING Cricket Association will strictly adhere to its social media policy, new president David Burley warned.
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"And if that means we have to suspend 20 players, then so be it,'' Mr Burley said.
He has taken over as president from Shane Nash, who resigned this week. Mr Burley claims his predecessor was the target of abuse on facebook after a player was charged with dissent recently. He further claims there has been a spike in this form of abuse.
"We're not going to tolerate it,'' he added.
He said clubs have passed a code of behaviour that includes a social media policy.
This also follows the rules laid down by Cricket NSW.
"All clubs agreed to it,'' Mr Burley said. "And we're going to enforce it.
"So any player who breaks the rules will have to suffer the consequences - although we're only talking about a small minority.''
Mr Burley said Manning Junior Cricket Association has already banned its representative players from using social media to comment on matches.
However, he added that generally the on-field behaviour in senior cricket has improved this year. He's back playing first grade, keeping the wickets for United and said all matches his side has been involved in have been played in good spirit.
"It comes down to players showing respect for umpires and also officials who volunteer their time to ensure a sport can be played,'' he said.
"If you don't have people giving their time, then you don't have sport.''
He said that cricket faces the same problems as other sports in the Manning.
"We're shrinking because we can't keep our kids here. They have to leave the area to look for work or to go to university.
Mr Burley was the association's senior vice president until Mr Nash's resignation. This will be his second stint as president after he held the position early last decade.
He is also the secretary of the Manning Juniors and president of the Mid North Coast Juniors and has been involved with cricket administration at either senior or junior level for 29 years.
However, he said he will be cutting down his commitment from next year to concentrate on his business.
Meanwhile one day finals in first and second grade will be played tomorrow after a month that has been hit hard by wet weather.
United will meet Old Bar in first grade at the Johnny Martin Oval.
Wingham and Great Lakes will meet in second grade at Rec 2.
The first graders will play for the Johnny Martin Cup while the Mick Dobson Shield will be the prize for the second grade.