David Richardson: "I am more optimistic than ever before that significant progress for the administration of cricket in the USA is just around the corner"
The ICC has facilitated a highly constructive meeting in Dallas with the cricket community in the USA as part of the ongoing process to unify the sport in America. Representatives of the USA Cricket Association (USACA), currently suspended from ICC membership, were joined by members of the ICC’s Sustainable Foundation Advisory Group, which is made up of stakeholders from the wider US cricket community.
A proposed new governance structure for cricket in the USA has been put together by the Advisory Group and was endorsed by the ICC Board in October. The aim of the proposed structure is to lay the foundation for a strong unified national governing body in the USA that represents the entire cricket community in the US and is capable of successfully and professionally developing the sport in the future.
The purpose of the meeting was for all parties to consider the proposed new governance structure, and the ICC felt it was important that those responsible for developing its principles were given the opportunity to discuss the most controversial aspects with the USACA. This included discussion on areas such as the composition of the Board, the requirement for independent directors and athlete representative directors, an individually based membership structure and USOC compliance.
This was the first time in a number of years that many of the key stakeholders in US cricket have sat in the same room together, alongside key ICC representatives. The ICC facilitated progressive discussion in a number of these areas, enabling the exchange of views about what is required at all levels to successfully unify the currently fractured US cricket community moving forward.
For the most part, the discussions resulted in general consensus, and the parties have committed to continue to work together in order to try and resolve the few outstanding points and make the appropriate amendments to the current version of the draft constitution, in the hope that it will be universally accepted shortly.
ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson, was pleased with the outcome of the meeting, explaining: "We recognise that it has been, and continues to be, a difficult time for the US cricket community, as the ICC continues to push for an improved governance structure, cricket system and increased professionalism in the administration of the sport in the USA. I am grateful to all those who participated today in discussions which were conducted in good faith, fairly, reasonably and without any personal or organisational agendas.
"I am more optimistic than ever before that significant progress for the administration of cricket in the USA is just around the corner, and I encourage the entire cricket community to continue to show the patience that they have displayed over the past months, as we continue to work towards unification."
The ICC Board will now receive an update on the progress made at this meeting, as well as in respect of USACA’s general level of compliance with the previously imposed Reinstatement Conditions and the plans to continue supporting the progress of cricket in the USA in 2017.
Once consensus has been reached about the proposed governance structure with all stakeholders in the US cricket community, a detailed project plan to support its implementation will be developed and approved by the ICC.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Previous media releases issued on USACA include:
26 June - ICC Board suspends USACA
5 August - Update on cricket in the USA – ICC reveals next steps
20 August – ICC meets USACA
30 August - ICC holds successful Town Hall meeting with USA cricket community
3 October - ICC Board to consider revised constitution for USACA
14 October - Outcomes from ICC Board meeting in Cape Town
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