The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) is an organisation that represents the professional first-class cricketers of Australia, both past and present. It is not a formally registered Trade Union, but an Incorporated Association. In 2005, the ACA established a commercial arm known as "PLAYERS OWN".
Contents
Objectives
The ACA states that its objectives are:
Structure
• Executive – the executive consists of seven past and present players who are responsible for the following activities: setting the organisation's objectives; defining policy and strategy; interpreting both cricket and corporate culture; interpreting the opinions and thoughts of the members; appointing and reviewing the organisation's CEO; maintaining the financial well-being; communicating with the members; liaising with administrative bodies such as Cricket Australia and the various state associations.
• Staff – the ACA has seven employees, whose major tasks include: working with Cricket Australia to further the sport; providing career and welfare opportunities, and looking after the rights of both past and present players; providing social opportunities for past and present cricketers; pursuing initiatives that benefit members.
History
The ACA was formally incorporated in February 1997, and four months later appointed Sports and Entertainment Limited as bargaining agents. The original CEO was Tim May. All Australian first-class cricketers then signed an “Instrument to appoint a Bargaining Agent”, which was filed with the ACB and the state associations. This meant that the ACA was attempting to create a workplace agreement, in accordance with the Australian government's prevailing industrial relations law.
In October 1997, the ACA presented an initial proposal to the ACB, which was rejected outright, thus creating a stalemate between the two parties. During the next twelve months, regular meetings between the two bodies led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 2001. This covered matters such as the establishment of standard contracts for all state players and an agreed method of remunerating all first-class cricketers in Australia. The current MOU between the two organisations ends in 2009.
Since this official recognition, the ACA has been a significant presence in Australian cricket. The ACA was involved in the establishment of the Allan Border Medal in 1999. The following year, it hosted the "Century of Australian Cricket" (a reunion of all living Australian Test cricketers) where presentations were made for the "Test Team of the Century".
The ACA has set up a number of on-going initiatives:
Eligibility
Only players who meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible:
There are three grades of membership. Annual Membership is paid for on a yearly basis while Life Membership is paid for once and covers membership for life. Members can receive Honorary Life Membership through the Kerry Packer Award, introduced to recognise and honour individuals who have served the ACA in an outstanding capacity.
Current administration
Greg Dyer is the current president of the ACA. The other members of the executive are George Bailey, Neil Maxwell, Mike Hussey, Simon Katich, Marcus North and Lisa Sthalekar. The current CEO is Paul Marsh, who succeeded Tim May in 2005.