Chairman’s Welcome
best wishes for every success in his
role at the Rugby Football Union.
This is my final introduction as
Chairman. With reorganisation, the
positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of
the National Forum have been
removed. It is a profound
disappointment as for 17 years these
roles worked well in creating a close,
positive and honest relationship with
the ECB professional staff, as well as
being a conduit between the ECB and
the membership. Both the National
and Regional Forums have always
been advisory bodies to the ECB, and
are essential in gauging the impact of
the ECB’s strategies on the game, as
well as giving constructive feedback. I
dearly hope those “reality”
connections are valued, otherwise the
game may be in danger of slipping
away to being a niche sport rather
than the major one it is.
It has been the utmost privilege and
honour being your Vice-Chairman for
seven years and Chairman for nearly
five years. I have often been told that
the ECB CA is held in the highest
regard both within world cricket and
across other sports, and it is people
that make it so. All of the
representatives both past and present
on all our Forums, the local CA
committees, and you the members
can be proud of what you have
created and the positive impact it has
made on the game. Your dedication,
skills, good humour and generosity of
spirit made my time in your company
and representing you one of the
things I have cherished most in my life.
Never, ever, underestimate your value
to all those you help. As always, I
thank you for all that you do and all
that you are to cricket.
I wish each and every one of you the
very best of health, happiness,
success, and all the good things life
can offer.
John Stannard
ECB CA Chairman
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