Graeme Smith – SACA | South African Cricketers' Association

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FICA Establishes Player Advisory Committees

April 9, 2018March 17, 2026

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today announced the establishment of its men’s and women’s Player Advisory Committees.

The committees, comprised predominantly of current senior international players nominated by their home players’ association, complement FICA’s ongoing program of structured engagement with its member players’ associations and players around the world, to ensure it is accurately representing collective player views and interests at the global level.

The committees will each hold a structured annual meeting via tele-conference and will also engage informally on a regular basis throughout the year. They will focus on both cricketing and employment related issues that affect players globally.

The committees will play a part in ensuring that players have a strong and unified voice on important issues at the top of the game.

The FICA Player Advisory Committees are:

Men’s

Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

Jason Holder (West Indies)

William Porterfield (Ireland)

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Aaron Finch (Australia)

JP Duminy (South Africa)

Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Vikram Solanki (FICA President – England)

Graeme Smith (FICA Independent Board Member – South Africa)

Tom Moffat (FICA Chief Operating Officer)

Women’s

Heather Knight (England)

Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Dane Van Niekerk (South Africa)

Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand)

Mary Waldron (Ireland)

Lisa Sthalekar (FICA Independent Board Member – Australia)

Tom Moffat (FICA Chief Operating Officer)

Commenting on the formation of the Player Advisory Committees:

Ross Taylor said:
“It’s important that player views are heard and contribute to the future of the game. Through FICA and our players’ associations, we want to continue to lead some thinking on important areas in the game and the formation of these committees is a great step for players collectively around the world.”

Dane Van Niekerk said:
“The committees are a great initiative and part of making sure that the players’ views contribute to decisions in the game.”

Lisa Sthalekar said:
“The women’s game is going from strength to strength and the players are a big part of that. It is essential the players collectively have a strong voice and are fairly and professionally represented as the game develops. I am looking forward to working with the committee as FICA continues to evolve its important role.”

Jason Holder said:
“This is a big part of ensuring player issues are discussed and genuinely represented globally and I’m looking forward to being involved.”

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FICA EXTENDS SUPPORT TO THE ACA & AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS

July 3, 2017March 17, 2026

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today extended its support to the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and its members. 230 professional cricketers, whom it represents, have been rendered unemployed following the ending of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the players and Cricket Australia (CA) and the failure of CA to negotiate a new agreement with the ACA based on the same partnership principles of the previous MOU.

FICA is concerned with CA’s desire to end the percentage revenue sharing model that has so successfully underpinned the partnership between the players and administrators in Australia for twenty years. The model has not only been hugely successful for Australian cricket but has been a model of best practice adopted by associations in cricket and other sports, worldwide.

FICA is also seriously concerned with CA’s approach to its dealings with the ACA throughout this ongoing process. FICA commends the ACA and the Australian players for their unity and resolve and for their consistent attempts to negotiate with CA in a professional and transparent manner, including their willingness to use independent mediation to reach a resolution.

FICA notes the indications given by CA that it may attempt to restrict now un-contracted players from competing in other cricket events by refusing to grant them a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or threatening them with future playing bans. FICA reiterates its strong opposition to any artificial restrictions that unfairly attempt to prevent players from earning a living and that have not been agreed with players or their representatives. FICA believes that such restrictions would be open to legal challenge in most jurisdictions as a restraint of trade.

The entire FICA Board has offered its support to the ACA and the Australian players.

Vikram Solanki, FICA President said:
“The players are the game. History has shown that where country boards work in genuine partnership with players and their representatives the game thrives and succeeds. Cricket is at a crucial moment in its history, with new and competing markets for players, fans and broadcasters. I believe that boards should be working more collaboratively with players in the current cricket landscape, not pushing them away.”

Tony Irish, FICA Executive Chairman and SACA CEO said:
“FICA and its member associations stand shoulder to shoulder in support of the ACA and the Australian cricketers in their current dispute with their board. As an important stakeholder in the game, players and their associations deserve to be treated with professionalism and respect. It is in the interests of everyone in the world game that the situation in Australia is resolved quickly and in a manner that is acceptable to the players collectively.”

Lisa Sthalekar, FICA Independent Board Member and ACA Executive Member said:
“It has been heartening to see the unity shown from the male and female players across Australia at a time when they have come under immense pressure. I know there is a lot of support around the world for the principled stance they are taking to maintain a genuine partnership for all players, not just a few.”

Graeme Smith, FICA Independent Board Member said:
“I was part of a revenue share partnership model for many years as a player and this was a critical factor in fostering the relationship between Board and players. In the current cricket environment where players have other options I don’t understand why a board would want to change a partnership that has proved to be successful.”

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LISA STHALEKAR & GRAEME SMITH JOIN FICA BOARD

October 13, 2016March 17, 2026

Former international captains Lisa Sthalekar and Graeme Smith were appointed as Independent Board Members of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) at the FICA annual meeting held in Cape Town between 10-12 October.

The meeting covered a wide range of issues that are important to players and the game globally. The meeting was attended by FICA president and former West Indies player Jimmy Adams, former Australian and South African captains Lisa Sthalekar and Graeme Smith, FICA Board Members and Head of UniWorld Athletes Brendan Schwab.

International Cricket Structure

The Board held lengthy discussions on the significant issues around the structure of international cricket. The discussions were guided by FICA’s 2016 International Cricket Structural Review, player insights, player surveys and FICA’s ongoing dialogue with the ICC and the ICC Member Boards.

It was resolved that FICA will continue to play an active role in discussions at all levels, with the objective of ensuring that the games’ governing bodies deliver a better structure that is fit for purpose, acknowledges the changing landscape of professional cricket and allows players’ career self-determination, giving them the opportunity to represent both club and country around the world.

Commenting on the structure of international cricket, Graeme Smith said: “players around the world are trying to build successful careers in a game that is rapidly changing. It is our role to ensure that players’ interests are protected, that players are a part of guiding the direction of the game and ensuring that structures and schedules are as good as they can be.”

Player Associations

The Board agreed that FICA should assist, guide and lead the development of associate country players setting up new associations in their countries.

In addition, it was agreed that FICA would, as a matter of priority, look to assist the Indian professional cricketers to develop their association, as recommended by the Lodha Committee and mandated by the Indian Supreme Court. FICA will explore all relevant avenues open to it to assist and to make a valuable contribution in this process, which it believes will be a positive for the players in India and for the game in India and globally.

Women’s Cricket and FICA

Following the decision taken at the 2015 FICA annual meeting that both male and female players should be represented, the Board welcomed the appointment of Lisa Sthalekar as an Independent Board Member.

Commenting on her appointment, Lisa Sthalekar said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the FICA Board, and am looking forward to playing an active role around the FICA Board table. Women’s cricket is the fastest growing part of the game and ensuring all players are represented globally will be a huge positive for players and the game.”

Employment Rights

The Board discussed a number of cases of systematic non-payment of players and the shortcomings within the international contract structure. It was highlighted that the potential exists for this system to get worse. The Board mandated continued efforts to protect players fundamental employment rights.

In addition, the Board resolved to ensure that any unreasonable labour market restrictions are not imposed on players, and that artificial restrictions on player movement should not be viewed as a quick-fix solution for structural imbalances in the game.

Player Welfare and Integrity

The Board received two presentations from key players’ association staff on the twin issues of player welfare, wellbeing and career transition and anti-corruption and integrity.

The Board agreed that it is vital that players’ associations, both individually and collectively play a formal role in all areas of player welfare and integrity issues.

Specifically, FICA urges the ICC and ICC Member Boards to formally agree to partner with player collective representatives in the fight against corruption.

Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Tony Irish, FICA Executive Chairman said: “the FICA Board has endorsed our operational direction and has mandated our Executive to continue to make a significant, evidence based, considered and professional contribution for players in the game. FICA will continue our efforts to build relationships around the world with the ICC, Member Boards, MCC, league owners and other key stakeholders in the game to ensure that the global cricketers’ voice is heard.”

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FICA RESPONDS TO THE OUTCOMES OF ICC BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

February 5, 2016March 17, 2026

The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today responded to the outcomes of the recent ICC Board and Committee meetings which took place in Dubai from 1^st to 3^rd February 2016.

Governance

“We are encouraged by what appears to be a new direction coming from the ICC,” said Tony Irish, FICA’s Executive Chairman. “The announcement of a review of its constitution and governance structures with the stated intention that it wishes to avoid potential conflicts of interest and follow best practice principles of good governance has to be a step in the right direction. We hope that this will translate into the ICC prioritising the long-term global interests of the game ahead of the immediate interests of its most powerful members. We note and support Mr Manohar’s statement that no member of the ICC is bigger than any other.”

These sentiments are in line with FICA’s guiding principles, published in March 2015*, which advocate for universally accepted principles of good governance. These include:

High quality, innovative and strategic leadership
Independent directors with democratic, equal voting rights for all
Clear and transparent structures, decision-making processes and financial reporting
Meaningful representation for the game’s stakeholders, including the players, in all relevant decision-making processes
A considered, meaningful and published global development strategy for the game

“Decisions made in February 2014 which effectively promoted the interests of three countries were fundamentally wrong for the global game and it now seems to us that the new leadership at the ICC is prepared to revisit some of this. Good decision making across the game will flow from a meritocratic governance structure” Irish continued.

Structure of Cricket

“FICA also welcomes the ICC’s move to seriously address the future structure and scheduling of international and domestic cricket, and to build a clearer global cricket calendar with greater context. As the world players’ federation we have advocated for this review for some time and we note the ICC’s comments that its process will include player representatives. We believe players should be integrally involved in building a better and clearer global cricketing market” Irish said.

In the wake of the Lodha Committee recommendations last month, including the recommendation for the formation of an Indian Players’ Association, FICA hopes that players from all countries will be empowered to be central to decision making regarding the structure of the game.

“The game is currently faced with choices. Players, fans and broadcasters are all faced with choice as to where and what formats they play, what they invest in and what they watch. The global cricket economy has changed, and the labour market has changed for players” Irish continued.

Former South African captain and FICA player advisor, Graeme Smith added that “there is a conflict within players around the world under the current structure. The game has a great opportunity to provide clear global direction in relation to its structure, and must find a way to give meaning to each game. Every match must matter.”

FICA’s principles promote a clear and consistent position within the cricketing calendar for all current and future recognised leagues and competitions, especially domestic T20 leagues. This necessitates clarity and consistency in delivery, administration and regulation. FICA believes the international cricket structure should not be governed entirely by short-term financial considerations and must take into account the volume and context of cricket, player workload and a balance of the formats of the game. Critically, it must also have a structure that provides clear sporting narrative to players and the cricket public.

FICA President, and former West Indian cricketer, Jimmy Adams said that “players must be viewed not just as the means of production, but as key stakeholders in the game’s decision-making processes.”

Integrity

FICA also welcomes the appointment of an anti-corruption oversight group designed to have independent input into tackling corruption, as a further positive step. “FICA advocates for proportionate, reasonable and effective anti-corruption measures agreed in consultation with the stakeholders to whom they apply, and applicable to players and officials alike. Defence against threats posed by corruption are best achieved by engaging, educating and empowering all stakeholders, including the players” Irish said.

Health, Safety and Security

Following the release of the FICA Health, Safety and Security report in 2015, FICA continues to advocate for the game to have structured and agreed processes in relation to health, safety and security at a global level, to ensure that players and officials are provided with a world class working environment.