Cricket SA president Rihan Richards has expressed concern over the lack of female leadership within the organisation, particularly at provincial level. Speaking at the Cricket SA AGM, Richards stated that the growth of female leadership has regressed, making him "very, very concerned". He noted that none of the provincial affiliates are presided over by women, despite efforts to grow the women's game on the field.
Richards highlighted that Cricket SA has made significant efforts to grow the women's game, with the Proteas team reaching the final in three of the last four ICC World Cup tournaments. However, this success has not been mirrored in the boardroom, particularly in provincial structures. There are no women serving on the Members Council, Cricket SA's highest decision-making body, which comprises the presidents of the 15 provincial unions.
The last woman to serve on the Members Council was Anne Vilas, who was president of Central Gauteng Lions from 2020 to 2023. However, she received no votes from her fellow presidents when she stood for a position on Cricket SA's board of directors. Currently, the only female leadership serving at a high level in the organisation is on the board, but none are drawn from the provinces.
The board comprises independent directors, including Chair Pearl Maposhe, Mahlako Maleka, and newly elected Adila Chowan and Ziyanda Ngcobo. Richards emphasised that the organisation cannot expect all women on the board to come from independent directors. He expressed concern that some provincial presidents have grown tired of the board having a majority of independent directors.
A section of the Members Council is understood to want the board to be run by a majority of provincial presidents, arguing that "cricket should be run by cricket people". However, critics argue that Cricket SA got into its current mess precisely when its board was dominated by provincial union presidents. Seven years ago, the government had to step in to help oversee Cricket SA's restructuring.
Cricket SA is only just starting to restore confidence with commercial backers, while the public remains sceptical. Richards noted that some provincial presidents are pushing for a return to the time when non-independents dominated the board, while they are unable to fulfil a mandate of Cricket SA's to grow more female leaders. He stated that the organisation will have to debate this issue thoroughly in the new year.
Richards, who is entering his final year as Cricket SA president, emphasised that the organisation may have to take drastic steps to ensure better female representation on the Members Council and within the board. He noted that while Cricket SA complies with its eminent persons group targets, more can be done to achieve better female representation.
Key points
- Cricket SA president Rihan Richards is concerned about the lack of female leadership in provincial cricket structures.
- The organisation has made efforts to grow the women's game on the field, but this success has not been mirrored in the boardroom.
- Richards may consider taking drastic steps to ensure better female representation on the Members Council and within the board.
