Australian Cricketers' Association
Encyclopedia
The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) is an organisation that represents the professional first-class cricket
ers 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".
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.
. 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:
has been the president of the ACA since 2006. The other members of the executive are Ian Chappell
, Matthew Hayden
, Ian Healy
, Mike Hussey and Matthew Inness. The current CEO is Paul Marsh
, who succeeded Tim May in 2005.
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
ers of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, both past and present. It is not a formally registered Trade Union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
, but an Incorporated Association. In 2005, the ACA established a commercial arm known as "PLAYERS OWN".
Objectives
The ACA states that its objectives are:- to act as the collective and representative voice of first-class cricketers in Australia.
- to safeguard the rights of both present and past first-class cricketers.
- to provide and improve the welfare of its members.
- to provide advice, services or assistance where deemed appropriate.
- to pursue initiatives that will ultimately benefit the membership.
- to promote the sport of cricket.
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 AustraliaCricket Australia
Cricket Australia, formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in Australia. It was originally formed in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket...
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 MayTim May
Timothy Brian Alexander May is a former cricketer for South Australia and Australia, who is currently a leading players' representative in his role as Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations...
. All Australian first-class cricketers then signed an “Instrument to appoint a Bargaining Agent”, which was filed with the ACB
Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia, formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in Australia. It was originally formed in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket...
and the state associations. This meant that the ACA was attempting to create a workplace agreement
Australian Workplace Agreement
Australian workplace agreements were formalized individual agreements negotiated by the boss and employee. Employers could offer "take it or leave it" AWAs as a condition of employment. They were registered by the employment advocate and did not require a dispute resolution procedure. These...
, in accordance with the Australian government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
's prevailing industrial relations law
Workplace Relations Act 1996
The Workplace Relations Act 1996 is an Australian law passed by the Howard Government after coming into power in 1996. It replaced the previous Labor Government's Industrial Relations Act 1988. It started operation on 1 January 1997 and provided for the continuation of the federal award system...
.
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
Memorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
(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
Allan Border Medal
The Allan Border Medal is considered to be the biggest individual prize in Australian cricket. First awarded in 2000, the medal is named after former Australian captain Allan Border and recognises the most outstanding Australian cricketer of the past season as voted by his peers, the media and...
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:
- A hardship fund that assists cricketers experiencing hard times, tragedy or personal difficulties.
- The career and welfare program, which focuses on developing the players’ personal and financial lives.
- The Youth Development Awards that allows the male and female player of the tournament at the national under–17’s championship to spend time with the Australian team.
- The player induction camp, which assists players in preparing for a career in cricket.
Current administration
Darren LehmannDarren Lehmann
Darren Scott Lehmann is a former Australian cricketer, who made his ODI debut in 1996 and Test debut in 1998. He was on the fringes of national selection for the entirety of the 1990s, and only became a regular in the ODI team in 2001 and Test team in late 2002, before being dropped in early 2005...
has been the president of the ACA since 2006. The other members of the executive are Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell
Ian Michael Chappell is a former cricketer who played for South Australia and Australia. He captained Australia between 1971 and 1975 before taking a central role in the breakaway World Series Cricket organisation...
, Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden
Matthew Lawrence Hayden AM is a former Australian cricketer, and was signed to the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL until the 2010 season. Hayden is a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, known for his ability to score quickly at both Test and one day levels.Hayden holds the record...
, Ian Healy
Ian Healy
Ian Andrew Healy is a former cricketer who played for Queensland and Australia. A specialist wicketkeeper and useful right-hand middle-order batsman, he made an unheralded entry to international cricket in 1988, after only six first-class games. His work ethic and combativeness was much needed...
, Mike Hussey and Matthew Inness. The current CEO is Paul Marsh
Paul Marsh
Paul Michael Marsh is a former English cricketer. Marsh was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire....
, who succeeded Tim May in 2005.