Clubs voted resoundingly in favor of the new United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) constitution that paves the way for reformed governing of the country’s cricket.
Current USACA secretary Paul Da Silva confirmed that 201 clubs voted for the new document to 86 against in a relatively strong response from the 600-odd clubs affiliated to the national ruling body.
“This is probably the largest participation we have had for any election which is an indication of increased interest in the national affairs of cricket,” Da Silva stated.
The victory for the Gladstone Dainty headed executive was a bitter blow for the dissenters particularly the two California directors who publicly advocated against the new document, claiming it hurts democracy.
Probably their opposition had more to it than the arguments made because the new constitution means one of the two directors will be no more, as it will merge the North West and South West Regions into the Western Region with provision for only one Director.
As a result the country’s geographical cricket makeup is now reduced to seven Regions instead of eight.
However, passing the constitution is only part of a demanding task handed to the USACA administration by the world ruling body – the International Cricket Council (ICC).
They have only five days to have a new executive in place based on the ICC’s stipulation that elections be completed by March 1.
According to Da Silva that election is scheduled for next week Wednesday March 28 when five positions on the executive has to be filled. The new constitution requires the executive comprise a President, two Vice Presidents, an Executive Secretary and a Treasurer who would be determined by the league presidents and four representatives each from the seven Regions via ballot.
Those five officials along with the USACA Board comprising one representative each from the seven Regions will now administer United States cricket as the official national body.
A Chief Executive Officer to be appointed by the Board will also be in place afterwards.
Also, Regions will now be administered by a Board comprising the Director, League Presidents, the four representatives and a USACA Board Representative – the latter requirements having to be identified by the Director by tomorrow (Sunday February 25).
However, in future, the league presidents will make the selection of the Regional four representatives, Director and USACA Board Representative.
It means that New York currently has one Director in Carlyle Miller who it is understood was chosen by the League Presidents recently. Originally Milford Lewis was the other of two such officials who handled this Region’s cricket. The Board representative however, cannot be the Director, as was the case in the past. Also the four Regional Reps must comprise three youth development officials and one for women’s cricket.
Da Silva said the consequences of not adhering to the ICC’s requirement of executive elections with a new constitution by March 1 would amount to the United States losing its Associate Member Status with the world body.
He however is confident they will beat the deadline, stressing that the passing of the constitution was the biggest hurdle to overcome.
He pointed out that the new structure will provide a wider involvement of officials in determining the affairs of the country’s cricket. “ In the past, the practice of having only the Board (USACA) elect the executive diminished the inclusion of a wider selection of stake holders making decisions for the sport,” the secretary pointed out.
Da Silva also feels the requirement of having an independent regional USACA Board representative is a positive as it would remove the possibility of conflict of interest, as was the case when Directors performed the duty.
“I think the clubs made the correct decision in passing the constitution, which should lead to better management of the sport,” he added.
Da Silva said the candidates for the Presidency and the other executive positions cannot be disclosed until the deadline has passed.
Encouragingly, the secretary revealed that USACA’s marketing and promotion deal with Scottish company Centrix will kick in now that the constitution has been passed.
“Regardless who is President, the deal will be in place,” he emphasized.