Australian Cricketers' Association

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) is an organisation that represents the professional first-class cricketers of Australia, both past and present. It is not a formally registered Trade Union, but an Incorporated Association. In 2005, the ACA established a commercial arm known as "PLAYERS OWN".

Objectives

The ACA states that its' objectives are: [ [http://www.auscricket.com.au/html/s04_services/default.asp?subtopID=65 ACA: About the ACA.] Retrieved 26 September 2007.]

* to act as the collective and representative voice of first-class cricketers in Australia.
* to safeguard the rights of both present and past first-class cricketers.
* to provide and improve the welfare of its members.
* to provide advice, services or assistance where deemed appropriate.
* to pursue initiatives that will ultimately benefit the membership.
* to promote the sport of cricket.

tructure

• Executive – the executive consists of seven past and present players who are responsible for the following activities: setting the organisation's objectives; defining policy and strategy; interpreting both cricket and corporate culture; interpreting the opinions and thoughts of the members; appointing and reviewing the organisation's CEO; maintaining the financial well-being; communicating with the members; liaising with administrative bodies such as Cricket Australia and the various state associations.

• Staff – the ACA has seven employees, whose major tasks include: working with Cricket Australia to further the sport; providing career and welfare opportunities, and looking after the rights of both past and present players; providing social opportunities for past and present cricketers; pursuing initiatives that benefit members.

History

The ACA was formally incorporated in February 1997, and four months later appointed Sports and Entertainment Limited as bargaining agents. The original CEO was Tim May. All Australian first-class cricketers then signed an “Instrument to appoint a Bargaining Agent”, which was filed with the ACB and the state associations. This meant that the ACA was attempting to create a workplace agreement, in accordance with the Australian government's prevailing industrial relations law.

In October 1997, the ACA presented an initial proposal to the ACB, which was rejected outright, thus creating a stalemate between the two parties. During the next twelve months, regular meetings between the two bodies led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2001. This covered matters such as the establishment of standard contracts for all state players and an agreed method of remunerating all first-class cricketers in Australia. The current MOU between the two organisations ends in 2009.

Since this official recognition, the ACA has been a significant presence in Australian cricket. The ACA was involved in the establishment of the Allan Border Medal in 1999. The following year, it hosted the "Century of Australian Cricket" (a reunion of all living Australian Test cricketers) where presentations were made for the "Test Team of the Century".

The ACA has set up a number of on-going initiatives:

* A hardship fund that assists cricketers experiencing hard times, tragedy or personal difficulties.
* The career and welfare program, which focuses on developing the players’ personal and financial lives.
* The Youth Development Awards that allows the male and female player of the tournament at the national under–17’s championship to spend time with the Australian team.
* The player induction camp, which assists players in preparing for a career in cricket.

Current administration

Darren Lehmann has been the president of the ACA since 2006. The other members of the executive are Ian Chappell, Matthew Hayden, Ian Healy, Mike Hussey and Matthew Inness. The current CEO is Paul Marsh, who succeeded Tim May in 2005.

References