USACA Propose New Direction

by Dyon Ravello

On October 24 USACA CEO Darren Beazley alongside, ICC’s Global Development Manager Tim Anderson visited the New York Cricket Region as part of a 10 day road tour. With the main agenda being a change in the membership model. Mr Beazley was the keynote speaker as he laid out the new membership plan. Currently USACA membership consists of clubs subscribing to the national organization. The pitch will see a transition towards individual membership geared to towards potential increasing revenue with a percentage split between the Regions and USACA.

There were many question posed to Mr Beazley as Eastern American Cricket Association (EACA), and New York Metropolitan Districts Cricket Association (NYMDCA) questioned its ineligibility at the 2012 USACA Elections. John Aaron was very passionate as he attempted to decipher whether his former colleagues of the USACA board will actually allow the major US populous to vote amid this pending change. With only 15 of 54 leagues able to exercise their voices at the last poll, only time will tell if USACA received Mr Aaron’s pleas in good stead.

From left to right, ICC’s Global Development Manager Tim Anderson, New York State Senator James Sanders, Eastern American Cricket Association President Rudy Persaud, USAC CEO Darren Beazley, and USACA Director Krish Prasad. Photo by Dyon Ravello

The national team management came into the spotlight as Nasir “Charlie” Javed travels to Abu Dhabi to the World T20 Qualifiers as the nations most qualified coach Linden Fraser sits at home. Additionally a need for development of a robust dual-communication channel between USACA and its membership was identified. New York State Senator, Mr. James Sanders pledged his support for cricket, to Beazley’s delight, as the latter outlined the $11 million spent by Broward County in developing the first cricket specify stadium in North America and IndyParks’ $6 million investment at World Sports Park’s, cricket facility in Indianapolis.

With 2013 at its twilight and Beazley approaching his first anniversary at the helm. The onus is again with USACA to make this next move, will the disenfranchised continue to be pushed further away from the ICC recognized and polarized administration. How long will Beazley carry on with his seemingly stubborn Directors? Or can the new membership module, actually be the catalyst for attachment, integrity, accountability and transparency?

Dyon Ravello is a sport journalist based in New York, with experiences in coaching, umpire, scoring and administration.

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