Following the recent events that have been brought to light by the ongoing situation around Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the SCA wants to make its stance very clear that there is no room for racism and discrimination in cricket or any aspect of society.
We are in full support of Cricket Scotland and its Equality Action Plan currently being undertaken by the Cricket Scotland Equality Delivery Group and their work towards tackling the issues of racism and discrimination including creating a road map towards a more equal landscape for the game we all love. We will be working closely with Cricket Scotland to make sure all voices are heard and all individuals are supported.
General Manager, Kenny Godsman said:
‘Cricket is a game for all and the events of this week have shown we still have a long way to go to achieve that. More of a spotlight needs to be shone on equality, diversity and inclusion within cricket. This is a journey that is only just now fully starting and it will take all stakeholders in the game to play their part.
The SCA acknowledges the lessons that need to be learnt from the Azeem Rafiq story and we encourage people to come forward and share their experiences.
The leaders in the game must continue to listen and learn, and to do everything to ensure the rights of everyone in cricket are protected. There is no room for excuses and we must all work together and stand up and ensure all our people are safe.’
The SCA is asking and encouraging anyone who has been subjected to or witnessed any forms of discrimination to come forward and we will assist you the process of being heard.
On 26th February 2021, the Scottish Cricketers Association held its latest AGM, for the first time however it was held virtually over Zoom. It was also the inaugural AGM for both the male and female members, with the women players in Scotland joining the SCA in 2020.
President, Ally Evans, updated the members on the latest developments, both domestically and globally, with the return of cricket hopefully round the corner. This was also the final act of his second stint as sitting President, with several board members coming to an end of their two-year term of office:
All four board members were unanimously voted back on the board. We would like to thank them for their commitment up to this point and their ongoing service to the SCA. It was also formally recognised that both Kenny Godsman and Jake Perry had joined the board. The former replacing Gavin Hamilton as General Manager.
The next piece of business was to get the members to vote on a purposed re-structuring of the board. With the growing demands and plans for the future of the SCA it was felt that reshaping the structure would lead to better governance and direction. The proposal was to create an Executive Board that was involved with the ‘day to day’ running of the SCA. This would report back to the wider board to direct the overall strategy and direction of the association. A change to the structure and the constitution was agreed to reflect this and was signed off by the members.
We are delighted to announce that Ally Evans was voted to remain as President and that Priyanaz Chatterji was elected to take on the role of Vice-President. Calum Macleod is staying on the board but in the capacity of player representation for the men, Jake Perry is taking up the same role for the women.
On being elected to the Executive Board and becoming Vice-President Priyanaz said, “It’s an honour to have been elected into these positions and I really value the opportunity to work alongside a great team of people who care deeply about cricket in Scotland. The SCA has an important role to play in ensuring the collective voice of Scotland’s international players is heard and I look forward to working not only alongside SCA board members, but also with governing bodies, to progress the game in Scotland.”
With the formalities finished and finalised, the AGM concluded with a presentation from The Transition Phase. The Transition Phase is a company that specialises in helping athletes to develop their skills away from sport, and when the time is right, move into careers after sport or help them balance duel careers. We would like to thank them for their time and we look forward to working with them more closely in the further.
Comments Off on The Transition Phase Offical Partnership
The SCA is delighted to announce that we have formed an official partnership with The Transition Phase, an organisation which specialises in connecting athletes and businesses. The Transition Phase is an early careers programme that supports athletes from an elite sporting background. They offer expert careers guidance that will help show athletes how their skills can be successfully used in a professional environment.
This partnership is in place to help support our members in developing careers during and after they finish playing. It will give them a vital support network that is specifically focused on current and ex professional athletes.
SCA President Ally Evans says “balancing sporting life and life away from sport is one of the biggest challenges that faces any cricketer, and it can be a daunting subject for them to approach. This is especially the case for international cricketers in Scotland. I am delighted therefore that we are able to partner up with The Transition Phase to help our players not only balance their cricket careers with other opportunities and responsibilities while playing, but also help them move into life after cricket when that time comes.”
The Transition Phase also commented to say that “we are excited to support the SCA as an official partner. We share the same ambition of putting the athlete at the heart of everything we do to support their career beyond sport. The partnership will allow us to work closely with the players with their dual-career lifestyles, helping them fully prepare for career transition, provide career wellbeing and financial planning support as well as giving the athletes access to our extensive network of mentors, career coaches and business leaders.”
We are thrilled to be working with Transition Phase and cannot wait to see how this partnership develops.
Comments Off on Cricket & Finance: How Gavin Main is trying to pursue a joint career path
No matter what stage in your career you are at, losing a contract and moving into a period of transition is never easy. I was not the first to experience it, and I most certainly will not be the last. For me the most difficult aspect was the uncertainty of what the future may hold. Having watched various trialists being ‘used and abused’ over the years in the county 2nd XI system, I decided fairly early on that I did not want to go down that route and having not been involved in the Scotland set up for a period of time, another playing contract was unlikely.
Luckily, in the same summer that I lost my contract, I also graduated with a degree in Finance and Economics which I had been working towards during the previous four off seasons. My parents were (and still are) always incredibly supportive of my cricket, but simultaneously always stressed upon the importance of having a ‘back-up plan’. Initially, I viewed university as a time filler while I was rehabbing from one of my many injuries, but as I moved into my final two years I became increasingly engaged with the material and began looking into possible options with a post-cricket career in mind.
This is where the SCA were instrumental in helping to determine the path I would eventually take. It was through Ally Evans that I first became aware of Tilney, a financial services company specialising in financial planning and investment management. Ally had received an invite on behalf of the SCA to an Investment Seminar in Tilney’s Glasgow office, and knowing the crossover with my degree asked if I would be interested in going along. It was at this seminar that I met Dougie Lockhart, who I am sure many of you will know is a former Scottish Cricketer who is now an Investment Manager and Director with the firm, whilst also sitting on the board of Cricket Scotland.
I kept in touch with Dougie following the seminar, meeting for a coffee every now and again in Glasgow to chat all things cricket. We decided that it would be a good idea for me to come into the office and do some work experience when time allowed, as I was clearly interested in investment and it was highly correlated with my studies, especially my dissertation. My departure from Durham later that summer, and not being involved in Scotland’s squad for the T20 qualifiers in October, provided the perfect window to get some work experience under my belt.
Dougie and his colleagues were great when I came into the office, so much so that after my two weeks of work experience it was clear to me that this was an avenue I would like to pursue further. I was fortunate enough that there happened to be an assistant investment manager going on maternity leave, opening an opportunity for me to join the firm for three months in January 2020 as maternity cover, with the aim of assisting the investment managers in the lead up to the tax year end.
I am now happy to say that I am a permanent employee of Tilney after joining on a permanent basis last summer. I am currently studying the Investment Advice Diploma, the first step in what will hopefully result in membership to the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment. So far it has been a great match. Even though there wasn’t much in the way of cricket last summer given the current state of the world, the benefits of having a line manager in Dougie, who understands the challenges of balancing a career with high performance sport, is already apparent. Hopefully there are a few more years to come where I will need to balance work life with cricket as I still believe I have something to offer for Scotland.
Although this was not the result of a direct partnership between the SCA and Tilney, it nevertheless underpins the SCA’s role in member development and welfare. In its infancy, the work being done by the SCA to develop a network for its members is invaluable, and hopefully there will be more players who will be lucky enough to benefit from the opportunities that arise from this network (as I have done) in the years to come.
Comments Off on #Cycle4Con – A blog by Craig Wallace
In October 2020, SCA Members Craig Wallace and Ally Evans cycled #672 miles and visited 29 Scottish cricket clubs. In doing so they raised over £14,000 for Brain Tumour Research and battled some of the wettest Scottish weather in over a century. They did this all in memory of former teammate, friend and Scottish Cricket Icon, Con De Lange.
Read below as Craig Wallace recalls “the best week of his life.”
Lockdown for some people was hard, for some people it was the break they needed, but for me it was the best thing that could ever happen. Lockdown allowed me to think of Con De Lange, the challenges he had and what I could do to help him, his family and so many others.
Cycle4Con started way back in April when I decided to take Dad’s bike out for a spin with nothing else to do. No cricket, no golf and no social life allowed the mind to start wandering. It fell on Con, it fell on how to help, it fell on how to do him proud and most importantly it fell on how best to remember him
Months later, once I was brave enough to voice my thoughts, Ally Evans was on board. The cycle had escalated, from what started off as 500 miles in 5 days (a test match that Con so desperately wanted to play) turned into 672 miles in 7 days, Con’s cap number and something which felt quite fitting. We had planned cycling from Bath to Paisley via all the special places Con played cricket in the UK until Sturgeon and COVID intervened. We fell on cycling these miles within Scotland hitting as many cricket clubs as we could, which felt quite fitting knowing Con’s passion for cricket in Scotland. But what came and happened was the best week of my life and one I will never ever forget.
Friday 2nd October
Day 1 of Cycle4Con begun with the biggest bowl of porridge imaginable, multiple coffees and, as the nerves and adrenaline started to kick in, we’re off.
We met Forfarshire legend Ian Potts in ‘The Ferry’ and started our journey. We cycled along in tandem catching up, discussing the week and what might happen, but more importantly enjoying each other’s company- until our first problem. Pottsy the keen and experienced cyclist he is shouted to us to watch for the potholes as we waded through a car park in City Quay, Ally far too interested in talking (shock) clips a pothole! I hear the screech of a brake as I turn to look over my left shoulder. The picture I saw will stick in my memory forever. The big giraffe falling head and legs over the handlebars to come crashing down onto the road knee first! I look up expecting to see Pottsy in hysterics as I was and all I got back was a look of complete disgust as he shook his head at Ally on the floor. Ally to be fair was quickly up, wiped off the blood, dirt and mud from his knee, fixed his chain and was back on his bike.
We headed across the Tay Bridge to St Andrews where Claire De Lange informed me this was the first place they went as a family after Con’s chemotherapy. A quick stop off at Spokes to check over Ally’s bike and we were off again. Sun on our backs and only one thing to think about, how many more crashes would we have!
We stopped off at Elie, Largo, Freuchie before heading to Falkand where we would stop for lunch. Here we met a lovely couple simply enjoying the sunshine and having their lunch at the cricket ground as well. After a quick discussion, I found out they were from Carnoustie and took great interest in our Cycle4Con where I happily told them all about the great man and our story. We then headed home, 102 miles later, to complete our first day. Only the one crash, no rain or wind, it was considered a very good day.
Saturday 3rd October
Mum’s birthday. Storm Alex. 135 miles to Aberdeen and back
In Aberdeenshire, on the 3rd October, there was the most rain recorded over a 24 hour period in a century. The 135 mile trip started in the pouring rain at 6.30 am where Ally and I headed to Arbroath. A quick photo and remembering a great story of Con’s innings against them in the Scottish Cup Final we headed north. This is where Ally and I took different routes to reach more cricket clubs. Ally heading west to Strathmore, Perth Doocot, Rossie Priory and home, me the route north to Aberdeenshire CC.
Cycling up past Lunan Bay, you can usually see glorious views across the stunning beaches and the North Sea. But instead, I was met with the heaviest downpour in the century and could hardly see 100 yards in front me, never mind across the North Sea.
I made it to Montrose around 11am, soaked through. A Post Van drew up beside me and pulled his window down on the main road. Naturally, I thought the worst, I either thought something was wrong with my bike I couldn’t feel or I was going to cop some abuse for cycling in these horrendous conditions. What happened next blew me away. A man, around my age, big beard and friendly face simply asked: “Are you ok? I’ve been following your story and it’s amazing what you and Ally are doing”. Instantly I broke down a little bit, but then had the biggest grin on my face. I could not believe that Cycle4Con had managed to reach out to a Postie and cricketer in Montrose named Sherad Mehta who was following my journey and he had come out to find me and wish me luck. Sherad, you truly inspired me to keep going and put on a smile on my face for the rest of the day. I will never forget that moment, and every time I was struggling It made me remember why I was doing this.
To the real hero.
With the extra spirit my miles per hour definitely improve as I arrange to meet mum at Inverbervie for my first food stop halfway to Aberdeen. On mum’s 21st(ish) birthday she definitely did not need me to attempt cycle 135 miles in a storm but unfortunately there was no stopping me and being the mother she is, she could not leave me when I needed help. I remember seeing her on the side of the road waiting for me to get there, hood up, drenched and a look of serious concern on her face. I got into the car, took off all the wet clothes and managed to have a hot cup of soup with her. Thankfully the present I had for her kept dry in my inside pocket and we shared a moment of warmth on her birthday. We shared some of Fleur’s brownies, a cuppa and tried not to talk about the rain! As I sat there shaking uncontrollably from the wet and cold I decided it was time to get on the road again to really test Mum on her birthday. Quick change of clothes and away I went up the road for the 2nd part of the journey to Aberdeen.
This was, without doubt, the hardest part of the journey, going so far from home only meant I had to go back, but luckily I had arranged to meet Liam Sweeney and Matthew Parker to do a live podcast for HalfWayUp Middle to talk about Cycle4Con. These two are two of my best mates and there was no letting them down, not to mention the hospitality Kenny Reid and Aberdeenshire CC promised. A pint of Guinness, a hot shower and some lovely stroganoff courtesy of Sam Wright! I finally arrived 2 hours late at half-past 2 but seeing them and a pint of Guinness brought that smile back and I instantly remembered the times I’d had with Con with a Guinness or ten!
Shower, podcast and a feed were definitely required and without it I think I might have let mum convince me to drive me down the road. But nope, dry clothes on and away I went down the road to complete my day. After spending time with my two best mates, talking about Con on a podcast and time off the bike I was ready for anything, rain still pouring down, roads puddled everywhere but I was on my way home and I just had to get it done. Fast forward 5 hours and at 8.30pm I finally made it home. Broken lights, road diversions and a puncture 20 miles from homemade the journey certainly one to remember. Ally came to join me 20 miles from home and thankfully he did, his parents by the end had to drive behind us with the car’s full beams on so that we knew where we were going. It truly was a ridiculous day, but one that brought so many messages and more importantly so much money for the cause so we simply had to finish it. To mum- thank you so much, and sorry again for ruining your birthday!
Sunday 4th October
A 5am get up to fix my puncture and we to head to Edinburgh. An easterly wind makes this day one of the most enjoyable and a little bit of luck we needed after storm Alex. We stop off at Forfarshire CC to pick up Pottsy again before heading through to Edinburgh via Glenrothes. A relatively easy day you would think. Obviously things did not go as smoothly as planned, Ally’s chain broke just before Cupar which meant another stop off at a bike shop for a brand new shiny chain and off we went! The day should have been an easy 90 mile ride to get to Edinburgh in daylight but this 2 hour delay might make us riding in the dark again. We picked up our second cyclist volunteer of the day just after Cupar, Katie McGill, which was a very welcome visit. Ally and I’s chat had definitely exasperated to say the least! Hills, the sun behind us and great hospitality by Kenny Crichton at Glenrothes CC made the day very enjoyable which was definitely needed after the lows of storm Angus. We even made it to Edinburgh and the bridges for sunset which truly topped off a great day on the bike. 3 days down, 4 to go and almost halfway.
Monday 5th October
Today we headed south out to North Berwick passing Penicuik, Haddington and Musselburgh CC on a day filled with hills, sunshine, rain and some beautiful golf courses more importantly. 5am wake up, foam roll and about 10 helpings of porridge later the mornings are starting to get slower and slower. Both of our knees are screaming at us to not go again but off we ride, through the city centre with our first incident. Heading to Penicuik Ally’s bike starts making a loud chattering noise and 10 seconds later a massive smash, crash, wallop and his light is caught in between the spokes of his wheel and smashes into 1000 pieces making Ally almost fall off again on the busy Edinburgh roads. For me it was what I needed to get me going on day 4, bursting into laughter again as Ally turns and looks at me shitting himself not knowing what had happened. You can see we didn’t have much sympathy for each other but laughed just as Con would be doing. We head out to Penicuik where we both share many great memories of playing against the late Willie Morton and head East. We were told Day 4 was going to be the hardest, but the beautiful countryside of Scotland and Edinburgh was truly amazing. Knees sore, heads gone, but our eyes were in heaven as we cast ourselves over the countryside going up hill after hill looking back toward Edinburgh and onto the lovely golf courses of East Lothian. We stopped off in Dunbar for a well-earned chippy, a bit of TLC on Ally’s knee from his mum and off we went back home to finish the 100mile day. We had agreed to meet Simon Smith in Prestonpans for a catch-up and race with his little boy, but 5 miles out I got another puncture! 45 minutes later, a new record, it’s fixed and off we go for the hardest race of the day against Ben! It was great to see Smudge and then home to Edinburgh to finish with the Morningside hill. Over 6,000ft climbed in the day, but another 100 miles in the bank and we are over halfway. AND back in the daylight(ish)
Tuesday 6th October
The wall has been hit. 400 miles in and I’m in the bush. I have to crawl down the stairs in the morning as knees too sore, foam roll, yoga and tweet about my rough morning looking for some sympathy. The first response I get was from Claire De Lange, unfortunately not the sympathy I was after. She simply replied saying that she can’t stop smiling as she knows Con and his hearty, deep laugh would be in full flow by now, laughing at us and what we are doing for him! Although not the sympathy I was after, it certainly put a smile on my face.
We head west to Glasgow, shock it’s raining, to see some of the clubs Con played at, we head to Drumpeilier and Uddingston CC before coming back to Edinburgh with another guest. The cold, the wet and the 5th day on the trot have taken their toll. I am grumpy. Luckily though there was no wind and we headed west past the longest canal you’ve ever seen out to Gordon Drummond’s in Uphall. Shock, I get another puncture this time on my outer wheel which is unfixable. I manage to ride very slowly into Uphall where Mrs Evans finds me and takes my bike to a bike shop where I meet Drummo for a bacon roll to cheers me up. An hour later and my bike is ready to go, fingers crossed no more punctures. We make our way west along a cycle path to Glasgow finding Drumpellier and along to Uddingston. It’s safe to say the cycle paths in Glasgow aren’t quite up to the standard of those in Edinburgh or Dundee, I think we spent more time picking up our bikes rather than riding through the shattered glass! We stop at Uddingston, where Ross Lyons and their skipper Bryan Clarke met us with some Tunnocks Tea Cakes!
Good chat, more rain and a good feed before we had to head home back to Edinburgh. Richie Berrington had decided to join us for the last 3 days riding for his friend Con. He certainly looked the part, borrowed bike, new shoes and a new jacket with the tag still on he was raring to go. If I’m honest he looked more than Chris Hoy than Bradley Wiggins but at least he would protect us from the wind! We headed east on the same paths as before and was very glad of Berro’s company, he was surprised at our freshness but realised very quickly it wasn’t our legs that were the issue. The bikes again have issues, riding east Evo’s back tyre completely blew up as if I shotgun had hit it, causing Evo to wobble away and somehow manage to stay on his bike- but yep you guessed it another big puncture unfixable so another call to Mrs Evans is made and Ally luckily gets a replacement bike to get him home. We finally made it to Edinburgh in some grumps heading along the canal in, yep you guessed it, pitch darkness. The only highlight coming when a dog which we didn’t see barks at Berro who completely shat himself reminding us of the tricks Con would play on us and Mairi on regular occurrences.
Wednesday 7th October
The best day. The finish in sight, we had our best mates and it was back to the glory days.
Ally and I had the misfortune of rooming together for many years but today we were joined by the best pairing there has been. Jokes, pranks, brandy and a lot of fun come to mind when you think of Berrington and Goudie together and that’s what graced Ally and me on the second last day. We picked Goudz up near Currie on our way to West Lothian to visit a lot more cricket clubs. Being tired, sore and fed up yesterday, if I could pick two people to get me through this challenge it would be Berro and Goudz together and they didn’t disappoint. Within an hour they were already playing tricks and had us completely forgetting about our sore bodies. We first stopped off at Bathgate where Goudz produced these lovely lights which he would dangle off Ally’s bike.
He managed to attach them on Evo’s bike within a mile at some traffic lights where Ally did not realise for at least an hour- many photos, videos and laughs later he finally realised and was a great start to the day.
We cycled along in great spirits over the hills with the sun on our back reminiscing of the glory days we used to have when we were younger. We made our way past California, a great reception at Westquarter CC and to Linlithgow where I made an appearance on Radio Scotland to tell our story of Cycle4Con. The total had now raised above £10k in support and I was the happiest man alive, I had a sudden burst of energy and was flying up all the hills much to the frustration of the heavy lads I was leaving in my wake. Weighing in just over 70 kgs is definitely a benefit in the hills as opposed to the other 3 nearing 100!
We finally got back to Edinburgh where we ticked off all the Edinburgh clubs one by one coming in from the west and finally had a beer together at Carlton which was much deserved. 600 miles down and just the 72 to go.
Thursday 8th October
The finale
With 600 miles in the bank we were almost there and just needed one last push. We were again joined by Pottsy, Goudz and other members of the Scotland squad to get through this last day and show our appreciation for Con de Lange. Shane Burger, Matthew Cross, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves and of course Berro joined Ally and me on our last route, heading from Edinburgh to Stirling and finishing at Ferguslie Cricket Club, where Con started his Scotland journey. We set off early once again to meet at Grange CC where we took a few photos, checked everyone’s bikes, pumped up tyres and off we went. Ally and I set the pace early so the boys knew what they were in for, after only a couple of miles Mark Watt could be heard at the back asking “they know we are going all the way to Glasgow right, why are they going so fast”. It was going to be a fun day. We meet Pottsy as the Forth Road Bridge where every player seemed to get their Instagram stories out, and onto Stirling we went. It was brilliant to have different company and styles of riders for the last day- from Watty using the heal of his shoe as a break to Crossy wobbling all over the show as if he would need stabilizers much to Pottsy’s amusement, and annoyance, as he was ruining his cycling cred as Crossy fell into a parked car! We cycled along in what looked like an army to Stirling and enjoyed a nice lunch again courtesy of Mr and Mrs Evans who were incredible all week.
Pottsy departs us and we only have 40 miles to go to Glasgow to make our target, the ride is easy, along a canal all the way to Glasgow, but there is one problem, Crossy and his ‘heavy bike’. I though could not have been happier with his struggles, I cycled along with Crossy behind the group, using his slowness as a nice little break from our pace and enjoying the last day. We face wind, rain, sun and a bit of hail as we approached Glasgow, but I couldn’t be happier, knowing now that the challenge would be completed and I would succeed. We made it into Glasgow around 5 o’clock, not the best timing for rush hour, especially when mad man Ally Evans was in the lead. We took wrong turns, rode up the wrong side of the road at the busiest Glasgow Cross junction, but finally made our way to Clydesdale where we stop briefly for a drink to meet Colin Mitchell. Although we were not there yet, that drink in the sun on the Clydesdale chairs was a real highlight, remembering Con and the good times he had at this great club with Western Warriors. He has created a legacy there which I know the club will work hard to continue.
We then have one last leg to go, and yep you guessed it, it was getting dark. It was only 7 or 8 miles to Ferguslie from Clydesdale but it was probably the hardest of the lot. Due to my Aberdeen adventure, I realised halfway through this last leg I had completed the 672 miles for Con De Lange. I break down cycling along the main roads of Glasgow, tears streaming down my face and I’m struggling to see where I am going. I hang back from the group not allowing anyone to see my weaknesses. I’m exhausted, sore, thankful, but most importantly so proud of what I and the guys had managed to achieve. The ride was incredible but the support and awareness were even better and it just all got the better of me.
We make our way to Ferguslie, up one last hill towards the hospital and down we go, waiting on Crossy at the junction, before riding into Feguslie Cricket Club, we have done it. The support there was incredible. Our families, Claire De Lange and the Ferguslie members are all there waiting in the cold for us and I couldn’t have imagined it being better apart from Con magically being there himself! A few photos to remember the moment, a pint, an emotional speech and I can take a moment to realise what has happened. I manage to sit down with Ally, pint in hand and just sit in silence listening to everyone else celebrate the success of Cycle4Con. Emotion, exhaustion and the unwanted attention comes over me and what is probably my one regret of the journey, I am the first to leave Ferguslie. Overcome with exhaustion and emotion I just wanted to be alone. I don’t like attention at the best of times and I just had to sneak away and let the team enjoy the success they had. I managed an incredible week and at the end had a pint with my mate Ally and thought about Con. That was enough for me.
Thank you to Ferguslie CC for allowing us to finish the challenge there, putting on food for us and giving us the satisfaction of having a beer with our mates. Thank you to Claire for all the support and love she gave during the week in remembering her husband. Thank you to Ally’s Mum and Dad and my Mum and Dad for the incredible support for the week. Lastly thank you to Ally for agreeing to do this with me and helping me through the best week of my life.
Comments Off on 2020 Review: SCA President Ally Evans reflects on the key events of the year
Featured Image Credit – Donald MacLeod
Like everyone, 2020 has been a challenging year for all at the SCA. While there was not the volume of cricket that anyone wanted in Scotland, there were some positive progressions this year. 2020 saw the commencement of official representation of the women’s game within the SCA. In February the women’s national team signed up and became members of the SCA. This is a huge movement in the right direction for the female game in Scotland, giving women players and coaches a collective voice on how the game changes and evolves in the coming years. There is still a lot of work and strides to be made in the women’s game, but having the players’ views as part of the conversation is a major step forward. We are looking forward to working with Cricket Scotland in 2021 to put in place the first Memorandum of Understanding for the women and actively progressing the game.
As a result of this development, there was a reshuffling of the SCA board. We were delighted to have Priyanaz Chatterji join the board as part of the executive team. Priyanaz has been a wonderful addition to the SCA, both with her extensive knowledge of the women’s game and issues, having earned over 60 caps for Scotland since 2008, as well as her experience working closely across all areas that affect players on and off the field. Her dedication and passion for helping the players is inspiring to see.
Priyanaz Chatterji – SCA Executive Board Member – Photograph by Donald MacLeod
Another change on the board is a change of General Manager. After 4 years in the role, Gavin Hamilton is stepping down. The SCA would not be in existence if it wasn’t for Gavin, and I want to take this time to thank Gavin for everything he has done in setting up the SCA and moving it to where it is today.
Gavin is being replaced by Kenny Godsman, and we are incredibly excited to have Kenny join us on the next stage of our journey. Kenny has sat on the board of Cricket Scotland, been team manager for the men’s national side as well as being heavily involved in the grassroots of the game with his services to Greenock Cricket Club. All this alongside his role as Managing Director of ACT Construction, he brings a wealth of knowledge to all aspects of cricket in Scotland as well as beyond the game.
2020 should have seen an expansion of opportunities provided to the former players’ membership base. We worked very hard with Cricket Scotland to provide a former players tent/package for past Scotland players to go along and support the current men’s team. This was to be rolled out at the New Zealand ODI scheduled to take place at the Grange in the summer. With no international cricket happening this year it unfortunately proved not possible for the tent to have its first outing. However, it was hugely encouraging to receive such a positive response to the initiative from former internationalists. We are all on this journey together and the game wouldn’t be where it was today without all those who have worn the thistle previously. The blueprint is now in place and we hope that when international cricket returns to Scotland, and fans are allowed back to watch, former players will be able to enjoy seeing some excellent cricket while reminiscing and sharing old stories.
Despite there being no cricket in 2020 we have still been working hard to support players any way we can. We have been working closely with Cricket Scotland on providing a support package for players to help not only their physical well-being but also their mental health. This, now more than ever, is so important and we would like to thank both the Scottish Institute of Sport and ‘Support within Sport’ for their involvement in giving the best care to all our current playing members. The programme is being rolled out at the start of 2021.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has given up their time and energy to cricket in Scotland, in what has been a very difficult time for all. I am so lucky to work alongside and with so many people who so passionately want to see cricket grow and be successful in this country. We will continue to work as hard to represent the views of the players and with all parties to leave cricket in a better place at the end of 2021 than at the beginning.
