Cricket Scotland has today (5th April) announced further changes to our senior leadership team as we prepare for the new season and look to build a stronger future for the sport.
Highly respected sports administrator Sue Strachan has been appointed as interim Chair of Cricket Scotland with immediate effect. Sue has served on our Board for four years and was elected as President in 2020, playing a lead role in the development of the sport for women and girls at all levels. She is also involved in Dumfries Cricket Club as a CricHIIT Activator, player and previously served as women’s convenor.
Prior to her involvement with Cricket Scotland, Sue enjoyed a spell on the Board of the Scottish Women’s Football Association and served on the Equality Advisory Group of Scottish Squash. She was instrumental in the formation of Scottish Women in Sport, adding to her already extensive experience in the word of Scottish sport.
Sue has been succeeded as Cricket Scotland President by Phil Yelland, with immediate effect. Phil had been scheduled to take up this role following this month’s AGM but has stepped in early following Sue’s appointment as interim Chair.
Phil is currently President of Murrayfield DAFS Cricket Club and has played a key role in growing the club’s thriving youth section. He has been a committee member of the East of Scotland Cricket Association since 2012, serving as President between 2014 and 2016. He has also served as Secretary of the Edinburgh Public Parks Cricket Association.
Sue, Phil and their fellow board members have already started working with Cricket Scotland interim Chief Executive John Lunn ahead of this month’s AGM. They have a shared commitment to working together to build a stronger future for Scottish cricket and to supporting the ongoing independent review into racism within the sport.
Interim chair of Cricket Scotland, Sue Strachan, said: “As the cricket season gets underway with our clubs getting into gear and our men’s team starting to play international fixtures, I will do all that I can to ensure that Cricket Scotland and cricket in Scotland progress to being stronger, more diverse and more inclusive. I know that is a view shared by my fellow board members.
“Everyone deserves to find a welcome within our cricketing community and our love of cricket can bring us together stronger in our diversity to address any challenges we face in the future. That is of course important as we embrace the ongoing review into racism within our sport.”
President of Cricket Scotland, Phil Yelland, said: “Over the course of the coming season, the findings of the ongoing Plan4Sport review will be published along with associated recommendations. In looking to the future, we need to recognise and continue to acknowledge that things have happened in the past, which were not acceptable and apologise for that.
“We need to listen, understand, and importantly look to improve our sport and make it an accessible game; one which everyone can enjoy and make friends and where everyone respects those they play with and against. This approach will be a priority as we move forward.”
Interim Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, John Lunn, said: “Cricket in Scotland is going through a significant period of change and there are challenges that we must address as we look to rebuild trust in the sport. That won’t be easy and trust will have to be earned but I know that both Sue and Phil are committed to taking cricket in Scotland forward.
“Together, we are committed to developing cricket at all levels and of course to working with the independent team leading the ongoing review into racism with Scottish cricket. Our work on these areas is well underway and will remain a key focus.”
Following today’s announcement Cricket Scotland will be prioritising the recruitment process for a permanent Chair and Chief Executive. More details of this will be made available in due course.
