FICA congratulates ACA and Australian cricketers on MoU
View(s):The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) congratulated the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) on successfully negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of its members for the next five years based on the same partnership principles that have served the game so well, and including female players for the first time.
On behalf of the FICA Board, Tony Irish, FICA Executive Chairman said: “We commend the ACA and Australia’s male and female players for the unity they showed during this difficult process. The ACA and the players they represent have come under enormous pressure in trying circumstances over the last year, and the outcome they have achieved is testament to that unity.”
“We particularly acknowledge the players who have stood up and spoken out, on behalf of their fellow professionals, and we applaud them for their leadership.”
“The majority of Australia’s professional cricketers were forced into unemployment and told they would not be back-paid. The ACA was deprived of vital information for much of the negotiating period. Repeated calls for the involvement of CA’s chief executive and proposals to mediate the issues (both of which would have led to a resolution of this dispute at an earlier date) were ignored. Yet despite all this the players and their players’ association showed tremendous resolve in ensuring that a fair revenue share model was retained and that Australia’s female players were included in this arrangement”.
“This outcome is significant not only for the Australian players but also for players elsewhere around the globe. Revenue share is a key component in ensuring that players are genuine stakeholders in the game and we consider it to be international best practice in professional cricket around the world. The inclusion of women cricketers in this also leads the way in the women’s game which continues to grow and professionalise globally.”
FICA looks forward to continuing to assist and support other member players’ associations, and the newly formed Scottish Cricketers’ Association, being the first formally established players association in an ICC associate country. FICA will also continue to assist professional cricketers who wish to establish players’ associations in those countries where they currently don’t exist.
The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) was established in 1998 to co-ordinate the activities of all national players’ associations which protect the interests of professional cricketers throughout the world. It brings together the world’s cricketers, regardless of nationality, religion, political persuasion or race, under an international body focused on matters of general interest to the game and its players.
FICA Structure
President – Vikram Solanki
Executive Chairman – Tony Irish
Chief Operating Officer – Tom Moffat
FICA Board
Australian Cricketers’ Association – Alistair Nicholson
Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh – Debabrata Paul
New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association – Heath Mills
Professional Cricketers’ Association (UK) – David Leatherdale
South African Cricketers’ Association – Tony Irish
Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association – Ken De Alwis
West Indies Players’ Association – Wavell Hinds
Independent – Lisa Sthalekar
Independent – Graeme Smith