PCA members from across England and Wales convened for the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in London, on Tuesday 27 February.
The AGM was attended by more than 30 current players from 21 different professional clubs, with further PCA members joining online.
With PCA Chair James Harris unable to be present due to the impending arrival of his first baby, PCA Vice Chairs Anuj Dal and Heather Knight hosted the meeting.
PCA Chief Executive, Rob Lynch, addressed the members, providing an update on the last 12 months and outlining the Association’s plans to continue the championing of its members in the constantly evolving global landscape.
Lynch looked forward to a game-changing year for the women’s game, highlighting the ECB’s Project Darwin which will see the eight women’s regions replaced with eight professional county sides as part of a wider three-tiered structure.
Two new additions were made to the PCA as England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan CBE was ratified as the new President, replacing Charlotte Edwards MBE. James Cameron was also ratified as the new Non-Executive Chair, replacing Julian Metherell who led the Board with distinction throughout five years of service.
The PCA Players’ Committee, alongside CEO Lynch, thanked Julian Metherell and Charlotte Edwards MBE for their tenures and welcomed the new additions.
"There is no doubt the direction of travel is a positive for cricketers as opportunities increase, but this comes with challenges and working collectively is key to tackling this."
JAMES HARRIS
James Cameron joins the PCA with a wealth of knowledge and unparalleled experience as an award-winning advocate and authority in the global climate change movement.
With game-wide negotiations ongoing, Cameron will bring vast experience from the 30 years he spent practicing as a qualified Barrister, coupled with influential positions held on boards and advisory committees across financial, legal and governmental organisations.
To conclude the meeting, the PCA Players’ Committee signed off the Association’s accounts and financial statements for 2023, before the meeting was formally adjourned.
PCA Chair, James Harris, said: “Today marks the start of my final year in post as Chair and I do so in the knowledge that it is the most important 12 months yet. There is no doubt the direction of travel is a positive for cricketers as opportunities increase, but this comes with challenges and working collectively is key to tackling this.
“As part of the nomination committee, I am really pleased to officially welcome James Cameron. Having personally sat on the Board since 2020, I understand the challenging nature and significance of this position which supports not only myself but also Rob Lynch and the executive team.
“A huge thank you must go to Julian Metherell for his diligent leadership of the Board over the past five years, often in extremely challenging times.”
PCA Chief Executive, Rob Lynch, said: “Our AGM provided a perfect occasion to bring the PCA membership together to discuss opportunities and challenges ahead. The care, knowledge and engagement of current players must be applauded as they continue to be a leading voice in the game.
“I am pleased to welcome James Cameron to the PCA and I have no doubt James will add to this and maximise the experience and skillset that will continue to drive the PCA forwards.
“Julian Metherell has added value beyond his remit during his tenure and I want to personally thank him for his commitment to the PCA and his trust and support of myself and the executive team.”
PCA Non-Executive Chair, James Cameron, said: “I am very pleased to officially take up the position as Non-Executive Chair of the PCA and anticipate a busy introduction, as I am keen to quickly understand how I can help represent our members to the best of my ability.
“The cricketing world is more complex than ever and evolving at pace, so my role is to aid connections between disciplines in order to best represent and advocate for past, present and future professional cricketers in England and Wales.
“My introduction at the PCA Board Meeting yesterday and today’s AGM has been a great start. Hearing the power of Eoin Morgan’s speech as he begins his term as President was inspiring and the materials heard by the Players’ Committee was genuinely uplifting and encouraging ahead of a crucially important year.”
