Earl Eddings moves to independent director role, will remain CA Chairman as ex-Foxtel chief joins as NSW nominated director
CA makes changes at Board level
Cricket Australia has today confirmed that Earl Eddings will remain in the role of board chair after he was unanimously endorsed to fill a vacant position as an independent director.
Eddings, who initially took over as interim CA chair last year following the resignation of David Peever, had previously served as a state director for Victoria and was due for re-election to that position at this year's annual general meeting.
But he chose to resign from that role after Cricket Victoria publicly opposed his installation as permanent chair in November last year.
By taking up the position as one of CA's independent directors, Eddings has ensured he will remain as board chair for the next three years and his re-appointment has been endorsed by Cricket Victoria chair (and member of the CA Nominations Committee) Paul Barker.
"CV supports CA's decision to appoint Earl as an independent director and looks forward to working with him and the CA Board as we continue to grow Australian Cricket," Barker said today.
The move by Eddings, to fill the independent director's role left vacant by Peever's resignation in the wake of last year's release of a cultural review into CA's on and off-field operations, was welcomed by chair of the Nominations Committee (and CA board member) Jacquie Hey.
"Earl is well respected and has deep connections across all levels of Australian cricket thanks to his involvement in cricket over a number of years as a player, club president and administrator," Hey said today.
"More recently Earl has contributed as the former co-chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee."
Eddings' appointment and continuation as CA chair was also endorsed by Australian Cricketers Association president Greg Dyer.
"Earl has played a significant role in the improved relationships between our two organisations especially at board-to-board level," Dyer said today.
"His appointment as independent director allows for continuity in the change process that Cricket Australia is undertaking.
"We have been encouraged by Earl's attitude towards this necessary change and are willing to play our part in assisting this reform."
Also today, CA confirmed that current directors Michelle Tredenick and John Harnden AM have been unanimously recommended for re-election to the board by their fellow directors and the Nominations Committee when their respective terms expire at this year's AGM.
In addition, former Foxtel and News Digital Media chief executive Richard Freudenstein has been appointed to fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of ex-Australia Test captain Mark Taylor earlier this year.
Freudenstein, whose appointment becomes effective next week, was elected with the full support of State and Territory Cricket Associations' Chairs and the unanimous endorsement and support from the CA Board and Nominations Committee.
"It is a privilege to be joining the Board of Cricket Australia and I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to the organisation," said Freudenstein, who has worked in the media industry for more than two decades.
"Cricket is in a very strong position and has deep roots in the sporting and cultural life of our country.
"Like many Australians, I love the game and the impact it has in communities, and I look forward to working with my fellow board colleagues to help take advantage of the opportunities ahead."
In confirming the appointments today, Hey claimed the appointment of new and continuing directors ensured CA's board maintains a strong balance of business acumen as well as elite and community-level cricket understanding.
"We are confident that Richard, as the State director for NSW, will add an exceptional skill set on the board and bring a fresh approach that will further improve our commitment to inspiring and uniting communities through cricket," Hey said.
"Richard's business acumen, skills and corporate knowledge will add to the Cricket Australia board and be a further asset for the sport at both the national and state level.
"The directors nominated are all very passionate about growing cricket, and to have professionals of such standing and success, commit to our sport for another term is excellent for Cricket Australia.
"Today's announcements reflect our continued commitment to good governance and to building a skills-based board aligned to the needs of Australian Cricket."