CA Executive GM for Community Cricket Belinda Clark to step down on November 30

Cricket Australia (CA) Executive General Manager for Community Cricket Belinda Clark has decided to step down from her role on November 30 after three decades of service to the game. The former captain held on to the post for two-and-a-half years, supporting the delivering of the game to millions around the country.



“I have loved my time working for the sport and while this chapter is coming to a close after 20 years with CA, a further six years with CNSW and a long-standing member of ICC Women’s Committee, I am committed to finding new ways to give back to the game that has given me so much,” said Clark, who will now focus on her passion of helping empower girls to find and explore their leadership gene.



During her time representing Australia at the international level, Clark captained Australia to two World Cup titles and remains the country’s all-time leading ODI run-scorer with 4,844 runs. She also led Australia to an astonishing 83 wins from 101 matches in the format. Clark was also the first player - male or female - to score a double century in an ODI.



She started as a Physiotherapist before turning to cricket administration to help juggle playing commitments with work in 1994 with CNSW in the development department -- establishing competitions for girls to play and implementing programs for young boys and girls to enter the game.



ALSO READ: Australia firm favourites for a whitewash even as New Zealand continue to search for answers



Six years later, Clark took over as the Executive Officer of Women’s Cricket Australia steering the organisation in integration with CA. Not only had she worked across community cricket but also high performance at the state and national level but also served as a volunteer for several clubs.



Her recent time on the executive of CA included a stint as Interim Executive General Manager, Team Performance. “The journey has been exciting and rewarding because of the many amazing people I have worked with across the community, State/Territory Associations and CA. I am grateful for their support and am so proud of what we have achieved together,” she added.



Clark was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2000 and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018. She was also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011 and, three years later, became the first female player inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.



For the fact, the award for Australia’s best female cricketer each year is named in her honour. She has also served on the ICC’s Cricket Committee since 2018.  “My dream is to help young girls develop the confidence, skills and courage to step forward when leadership opportunities arise. This shift in my focus is timely as we navigate through significant global challenges – many of which need strong local and diverse voices to overcome.



ALSO READ: Breaking boundaries and perceptions: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 wins big at Leaders in Sports Awards 2019



“Cricket has been a major part of my life since I was a little girl growing up in Newcastle and it will continue to be for many years to come,” Clark said. CA interim CEO Nick Hockley said Clark’s contribution at all levels of cricket had been immense.



“Belinda’s impact across Australian Cricket has positioned her as one of Australia’s most influential leaders of our time,” Hockley said. “Belinda has forged a path for women in cricket long before the days of the Australian Women’s Team and WBBL players became household names, and we are indebted to her for playing a huge role in shaping that journey.



“The benefits female cricketers enjoy today – professional support teams, an international schedule of matches, significant salary increases – are all changes advocated and shaped by Belinda. Everyone across Australian Cricket will miss working with Belinda, but we wish her all the best and know that she will continue to inspire young cricketers around the world, just as we shall continue to celebrate her immense contribution to the game.



ALSO READ: Clare Connor concerned about the COVID-19 financial impact on women’s cricket globally



“On a personal note, I would particularly like to thank Belinda for her leadership as a Director of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and am thrilled that we shall continue to work together in the build-up to the men’s T20 World Cup which has now been postponed until 2022,” he added.



She also worked alongside head coaches Tim Nielsen, Greg Chappell and Troy Cooley and support staff for over a 10-year period to help develop the generation of young male players at the NCC facility. Other significant accolades are her induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, the NSW Sports Hall of Fame and Hunter Region Sports Hall of Fame.



In 2019, the Australian Financial Review Top 100 Women of Influence Awards recognised Belinda as the winner of the Arts, Culture and Sports category. After her stay at CA, Clark will stay on as a director for the ICC T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee.