Media Release
Florida (December 31, 2012) – The United States of America Cricket Association, Inc. (“USACA”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Beazley as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Beazley brings two decades of high-level experience in various sports – including cricket – and international commerce to USACA. Further details are included in a bio of Mr. Beazley below.
Commenting on the appointment Gladstone Dainty, President of USACA stated, “This appointment marks a key moment for the growth and development of cricket in the United States as USACA looks to take better advantage of the sport’s widening global appeal for men, women and youth.
“The appointment of a competent and motivated chief executive to lead our operations was a vital component of an action plan agreed by the USACA Board during 2012, and after completing a rigorous recruitment process, I’m delighted that someone with Darren’s skills and experience has agreed to join us.
“The Board can now focus on developing policy and relationships with partners who share our vision for the success of cricket in the USA.”
Mr. Beazley noted, “Cricket has always been a major part of my life and I am therefore thrilled to have the opportunity to assist its growth and improvement in one of the most important emerging markets in the world today.
“I look forward to leading USACA’s national efforts, as well as working closely with the member leagues, clubs and partners to ensure cricket’s vast potential in the US is realized.
“There is a rich, diverse and long history of cricket in the US. One of my first key projects will be to talk to a wide selection of league presidents, stakeholders and partners about that history and the future. My hope is that this will help encourage the levels of collaboration and compliance critical for the development of the game at all levels and in all forms in the US.”
Tim Anderson, the ICC’s Global Development Manager added, “It is critical that cricket continues its growth path globally and helping ICC Associate and Affiliate Members put in place more professional management structures is an important corner stone in that progression.
Having been appointed through a highly competitive recruitment process, Darren will now have a key role – together with the USACA Board – in developing such a structure for cricket in the USA.”
Mr. Beazley will commence as the CEO of USACA in February 2013 and will be based in Florida.
About Mr. Darren Beazley
Darren is a senior executive with experience in both sports administration and the commercial sector. Over the past twenty years he has had the opportunity to shape the direction of a variety of organizations in Australia and internationally.
He was previously employed as the National Sales Director of Enerji Limited, and has also worked for the Fremantle Dockers in the Australian Football League (AFL) and the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA). He was Chief Operating Officer for the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, a London 2012 Olympic Games qualifying event.
He has stadium and major project management experience as a Board member of Venues West. He was also a member of the Steering Committee for the recently completed Perth Arena facility.
Internationally, Darren has worked in the United States, while he led the expansion of the Fremantle Dockers brand into South Africa.
He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Edith Cowan University (WA) and is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Darren is also a committed member of the community having served as President of the Asthma Foundation of Western Australia for four years and is currently serving on the Board of Celebrate WA.
Darren is married with two children.