Boucher Elected President Of SACA – 11/12/03 11thDecember 2003 Jonty Rhodes cut his last official ties with South African cricket on Tuesday night (9th December 2003) when he stepped down as the President of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA). Rhodes who retired from cricket earlier this year opened SACA’s Annual General Meeting held in Johannesburg on Tuesday by emphasising the importance of the role to be played by players over the next few months in shaping the future of South Africa’s provincial and international cricketers. Proud ” I am leaving a Player Association which has the backing of virtually every professional cricketer in the country” said Rhodes. ” I am proud to have been part of SACA’s formation. It is an extremely important part of the future of professional cricket in South Africa.” In a meeting attended by 40 of the country’s senior cricketers and captains representing the national and provincial teams the players reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that they take a meaningful part in shaping their own destiny as cricketers in the forthcoming year. Elected The players elected the following individuals to SACA’s new Executive committee: National Vice-Captain, Mark Boucher as President, Northern Titans ‘, Shafiek Abrahams, as Vice-President, former Kwazulu Natal Dolphins’ player, Errol Stewart, as Secretary and Northern Titans’ Captain, Gerald Dros, as Treasurer. The players also elected current Chief Executive Officer, Tony Irish, who continues in this position on the Executive Committee. Downsize Many of South Africa’s professional cricketers face their biggest ever challenge in the forthcoming months. This involves their survival and the reshaping of the entire provincial game. The United Cricket Board has confirmed its intention to restructure and downsize the current provincial set-up. This will be reduced from eleven teams to six franchised teams. This will lead to a reduction in the number of cricketers making their living from the game with some of the existing players being included in, and others excluded from, the new professional structure. Boucher Honoured ” I am happy and honoured to be elected by the players as President of our own Association” said Mark Boucher, ” I believe that we have chosen an Exco that is experienced, determined and respected by players. These are very important times for all of us and we intend to ensure that all players are treated fairly. We are committed, and look forward, to our involvement in constructive work with the UCB and the provinces in dealing as thoroughly as possible with all aspects of the new structure relating to players and making the professional game as strong as it can be” .
