Lehmann Elected President And Kerry Packer Awards Key Outcomes Of Annual General Meeting ACA Chief Executive Paul Marsh today announced Darren Lehmann as the new President of the Australian Cricketers’ Association. At the Association’s Annual General Meeting held in Melbourne last night, Lehmann was elected by members for a two year term following the resignation of Ian Healy from the role. "I am delighted to announce Darren Lehmann’s appointment," Marsh said earlier today. "We consider the role of ACA President to be an important and influential position within the cricket community and with more than 19 years experience as an Australian, State and County cricketer, Darren’s knowledge of the game and his insight into player issues will be invaluable. "Through his role as ACA President Darren will now extend his contribution to cricket by serving the game and its players off the field," Marsh said. Currently in India on business, Darren Lehmann was thrilled to learn of his success in the Presidential elections. "It is a great honour that my peers have entrusted me with the position of ACA President," Lehmann said. "My role is that of caretaker of the voice of all past and present first class cricketers and I will work to ensure our voice is heard in addition to working with Cricket Australia to better the game of cricket," Lehmann said. Paul Marsh also thanked Ian Healy for his outstanding service to the ACA in his five years as President. "I would like to thank Ian for his accessibility, contribution of time, expertise and guidance," Marsh said. "Presidency of the ACA is an honorary role yet despite this, Ian has worked tirelessly and passionately to further the ACA cause. "Ian has resigned as President in an effort to allow the ACA to be governed by a new and fresh perspective and this is yet another example of Ian’s dedication to the ACA. "We are pleased that Ian will continue his involvement with the ACA as an Executive member," Marsh said. Marsh also confirmed that Tim May and Deutsche Bank Chief Executive of Australia and NZ, Chum Darvall had been awarded the inaugural Kerry Packer Award. "Developed over the past nine months by the ACA Executive Committee, the Kerry Packer Award takes the form of honorary life membership and has been presented to Tim May and Chum Darvall in acknowledgment of their outstanding service to the ACA," Paul Marsh said. Marsh explained that May and Darvall were both judged by the ACA Executive and James Packer, and then ratified by the ACA Annual General Meeting as worthy recipients of the honour. "Tim May was a founding member of the ACA Executive and went on to serve the association for eight years in the role of Chief Executive," he said. "Since the ACA’s establishment in 1997, and as a result of Tim’s leadership, the ACA has become a significant stakeholder in both Australian and World Cricket. "Tim can be credited with the negotiation of the first ever MOU with the then ACB in 1998 and several subsequent MOU’s, increasing player payments from $9.5 million in 1996/97 to $28 million in 2004/05; achieving 100% membership of all current players and establishing ACA past player membership," Marsh said. "Australia’s first class cricketers owe much to the creativity, commitment and dedication of Tim May, and the Kerry Packer Award is a fitting acknowledgement of his outstanding contribution to the ACA. "Although not a household name in cricket, Chum Darvall is also an incredibly worthy recipient of the Kerry Packer Award," Marsh said. "Whilst not a member of the ACA, this award is in acknowledgement of Chum’s contribution to the Player Hardship Fund over the past seven years. "In addition to the provision of significant financial support, Chum was largely responsible for developing and introducing the Player Hardship Fund and has also personally served on the Player Hardship Fund Committee since its inception, assisting players and their families during times of genuine need. "Assistance is provided to hardship fund cases on a confidential basis and as such it is difficult to explain the extent of Chum’s contribution whilst maintaining this confidentiality," Marsh explained. "However the ACA Executive is fully aware of Chum’s efforts and considers him to be an extremely worthy recipient of such an honour," Marsh concluded.
