By Olivia Griffin
Cardiff Students’ Union has suspended the Men’s Cricket Club for the remainder of the current academic year following reports of serious misconduct.
In a public statement, the Students’ Union confirmed it had concluded a full investigation and appeal process, which found “clear evidence that activity associated with the Club fell well below the standards expected of Students’ Union members”.
The Union said the behaviour was “inconsistent with our Code of Conduct”, had “breached explicit guidance that had been repeatedly communicated to the Club Committee in advance” and had raised “significant concerns around student safety and welfare”. “As a result, and in line with our disciplinary policies, the Men’s Cricket Club has been suspended for the remainder of the current academic year,” the statement said. It added that committee members responsible for the club at the time of the incident “will no longer be permitted to represent Cardiff University in cricket”.
This comes after an allegations of humiliation and abuse by members of the club at Misfits were reported by the Tab earlier in the academic year.
The Students’ Union said its approach is guided by “a clear duty of care to students and a zero-tolerance position on initiation-type behaviour”. While it wants students to participate in sport and social activity, it said it “will act where evidence shows our expectations have not been met to ensure activity is run responsibly”.
At approximately 17:00 on Friday evening, the Students’ Union also emailed Athletic Union members regarding the situation. The email stated: “You may have seen recent coverage relating to the Men’s Cricket Club. That process has now concluded, and the Students’ Union has published a public statement setting out the outcome and our position.”
The Union said it was writing to Athletic Union members “to be clear about expectations and, importantly, to make sure you know how to raise concerns if something does not feel right”. The email reiterated that “student sport should be competitive, social, and enjoyable, but it must also be safe, respectful, and inclusive”, adding that “initiation-type behaviour, coercion, humiliation, or activity that puts students at risk is not acceptable and will be taken seriously”.
Athletic Union members were encouraged to report concerning behaviour, with the Union stating: “If you experience, witness, or become aware of behaviour within a sports club that concerns you, we want you to tell us.” It stressed that “raising a concern is about protecting yourself and others, not about getting people into trouble”, and that “early reporting allows issues to be addressed before they escalate”.
The email outlined reporting routes available to students, including Students’ Union Customer Services and the University’s Report and Support tool, noting that these can be used “whether the issue relates to training, fixtures, social activity, or club culture more broadly”.
Students unsure about how to raise a concern were directed to the Students’ Union Advice team, which the email said can “talk things through with you, explain your options, and support you to raise a concern in a way that feels right for you”.
For students not involved in the incident, the Students’ Union confirmed it is taking steps to establish a cricket programme administered directly by the Union. This activity will be delivered with “clear expectations around behaviour”, and participants will be expected to engage with “externally facilitated positive social culture sessions”, with a focus on participation within “a safe, supervised and values-led framework”.
Whilst some students will no doubt miss the club; others see its suspension as an act of justice. One anonymous member of staff at Misfits told Gair Rhydd “they fully deserved it after everything they did, it happens every September and it’s so grim, especially to clean up at the end of the night”.
Looking ahead, the Students’ Union said it will consider applications to establish a men’s cricket club in a future academic year, with any application subject to “robust scrutiny” and required to demonstrate “safe leadership, a positive club culture, and full alignment with the Union’s expectations and standards of behaviour”. Although the suspension comes at an awkward time for the Union, with Cardiff set to host Welsh Varsity for the second year in a row
The email concluded by highlighting that “there is a lot to be positive about” in student sport, with Varsity approaching and BUCS competitions underway, and stated: “We want to continue to celebrate that success and ensure everyone can take part in sport in a way that feels safe and welcoming.” It added: “If something doesn’t sit right, please speak up, we are here to listen and to support.”