The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme is now running its fourth edition, a powerful initiative designed to empower women and address the need for more female leaders within the cricket ecosystem. This year’s programme kicked off with a workshop in Dubai, setting the stage for a comprehensive, ten-month journey where selected participants, or “mentees,” will collaborate with industry experts to gain leadership skills essential for senior roles in cricket.
Fourth Edition of the Programme in Dubai
The fourth edition opened with a dynamic workshop in Dubai, where the 15 chosen mentees met their mentors. This immersive workshop, led by Programme Guide and former Australian captain Belinda Clark, marked the start of a journey dedicated to leadership and professional development.
Structure of the 2024 Programme
The 2024 Future Leaders Programme is structured as a 10-month course with two distinct workstreams: administrators and one additional specialization. The programme’s format is designed to provide targeted training in each area, enabling mentees to develop a thorough understanding of their roles within cricket administration or other domains.
The administrator workstream is central to the 2024 edition. This stream focuses on equipping mentees with the administrative expertise needed to operate effectively in high-level cricket positions. Understanding cricket’s administrative side is crucial as it shapes the framework within which the game is played, ensuring policies are set to promote fairness, inclusion, and growth.
This year’s cohort of 15 talented mentees includes representatives from ICC member federations like Cricket Australia, Cricket South Africa, Cricket PNG, and Cricket Belgium. Mentors play a transformative role in the Future Leaders Programme. These experienced professionals, including CEOs, general managers, and directors from diverse organizations, guide mentees through challenges, share valuable insights, and foster a culture of learning.
Belinda Clark’s Vision
At the helm of this year’s programme is Belinda Clark, a former Australian cricket legend and an ICC Hall of Famer. As Programme Guide, Clark brings her rich experience and unwavering commitment to advancing women’s cricket.
Clark said: “This is an exciting time for the game. The transformation of cricket on the field has been amazing and inspires us to work towards accelerating progress off the field. This programme is designed to support that change.”
The ICC has consistently promoted gender equity, with the Future Leaders Programme representing a significant part of this vision. By investing in women’s professional development and creating pathways for their growth, ICC is ensuring that female leaders have the tools they need to thrive and drive change in cricket administration and beyond.
Snehal Pradhan, ICC’s Manager for Women’s Cricket, has been vocal about the programme’s impact. She highlights how this initiative addresses a fundamental challenge within cricket the underrepresentation of women in leadership.
Pradhan added: “The Future Leaders Programme for administrators is one of the ICC’s most powerful interventions to impact a business problem the cricket ecosystem has, of not having enough female leaders.
“We’re delighted to be able to significantly upgrade the programme this year, starting with the in-person workshop led by Belinda. We’ve had great buy-in from various stakeholders into this programme, from Members to commercial partners to the mentors who have come on board from cricket and other sports. All this underlines the value everyone sees in the programme.”
The success of the Future Leaders Programme is due in part to the strong backing from various stakeholders, including member federations, commercial partners, and influential mentors.
List of confirmed mentees and mentors are:
Ameena Smith – Company Secretary, Western Province Cricket Association paired with mentor Archana Chopara – Executive Director HR, Disney Star
Amelia Francine Lawac – Administration Manager, Vanuatu Cricket Association paired with mentor Sarah Gomersall – CEO, Jersey Cricket
Chevon Prescod – Senior Women’s Manager, Barbados Cricket Association paired with mentor Fara Gorsi – Development Manager, Americas, ICC
Christelle Janse Van Rensburg – Financial Manager, Cricket South Africa paired with mentor Andrea Nelson – CEO, Gymnastics New Zealand
Dhwani Kitchlue – Partnerships Lead, Adani Sportsline paired with mentor Mubashshir Usmani – Chair of Associates, ICC
Emma Calvert – Director of Women’s Cricket, Surrey CCC paired with mentor Salman Naseer – Chief Operating Officer, Pakistan Cricket Board
Henao Samuel – Participation Programs Manager, Cricket PNG paired with mentor Claire Kelly – Managing Director, Gemba Europe
Krystal Davie – Competition Support Lead, Cricket Australia paired with mentor Beth Barrett-Wild – Director, Women’s Professional Game, England and Wales Cricket Board
Shireen Dastagir – Head PR and Communication, ITW Universe paired with mentor Claire Furlong – Managing Director, Claire Furlong Consulting
Natasha Cherriath – Sports Operations and Management professional paired with mentor Scott Weenink – CEO, New Zealand Cricket
Olivia Erwin – Head of Partnerships, Surrey CCC paired with mentor Jinisha Sharma – Director, Capri Sports (UP Warriorz, Sharjah Warriorz)
Smriti Kaneria – Women’s Development Officer, Belgium Cricket paired with mentor Lisa O’Keefe – Secretary General, IWG Women & Sport
Tara Grewal – Director of Marketing and Commercial, Abu Dhabi Sports Hub paired with mentor Olivia Thornton – CEO, Cricket ACT
Tara Wilkinson- McClean – Head of Partner Servicing, Caribbean Premier League paired with mentor
Lydia Buthello – Head, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Stephanie McCormick – Intelligence Manager, ICC paired with mentor
Sara Niblock – Director, Anti-Discrimination Unit & Safeguarding Cricket Regulator, England and Wales Cricket Board
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