First ICC regional conference of the year focused firmly on the future

March 9 (CRICKETNMORE) - Twenty-nine members from the ICC Europe region attended the first Regional Conference of 2018 in Paris this week, with the focus on a future global strategy for cricket, growing the game, collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.

Delegates included representatives from across Europe, where cricket is rapidly growing. A number of sessions were focused on sharing best practice as well as contributing to the ongoing development of a global strategy for the game.

ICC Regional Development Manager – Europe, Ed Shuttleworth said: “The Regional Conference is a crucial time to bring all Members together for skill sharing and for peer-to-peer learning. As part of our long-term ambition to become the world’s favourite game, we are dedicated to investing in Members to deliver on our ambition. In addition, we are focused on working in partnership with our European Members and this conference is another step on the journey.”

In addition to the two-day conference, the second year of the ICC Global Leaders Academy, which identifies and develops future leaders of the sport, was also launched. The Academy, which was launched in 2017 brought together 28 leaders from 22 Member nations across a 12 month programme designed to equip cricket’s world leaders to develop the game.

Katie Twomey, Head of Venue Business at Cricket Australia and a member of the programme said: “The ICC Global Leaders Academy Executive XI is a truly transformative 12-month leadership programme that I believe is unprecedented in world sport. Bringing together Executives from across the globe to explore, challenge and grow not only their individual leadership capabilities but input into the development of the Cricket Leadership DNA with a view to leading the game like it has never been led before.

“Across 352 days with in depth sessions in Dubai, Mumbai and Seattle we were immersed in the Leadership teams across Corporate, Sport and Communities which delivered a unique platform for learning from global pioneers in innovation, values and culture. Each of us are deeply indebted to the ICC for their development and support of such an innovative and game changing program that has not only had a profound impact on our personal leadership journey but accelerated and embedded the connection between ICC countries like never before. 

The programme has a new look in 2018 designed to reach more leaders than ever before and includes a one-day ‘Leadership Accelerator’ experience as part of each Regional Conference programme. This experience provided 17 delegates in Paris with the opportunity to improve their leadership skills, looking beyond the sporting landscape and empowering the leaders of the game to think ‘big’.

In addition to the Leadership Accelerators, the 2018 Trailblazers programme will open an opportunity for twelve new candidates from the world of cricket to participate in two three-day face-to-face immersions and be involved in remote coaching sessions. Game Changers, a two-day experience for Associate Members’ Chairs and Presidents, will take place at the ICC Annual Conference in Dublin in July. 

ICC Development Services Manager, Andy Hobbs said: “For 2018 we are investing more into our Members providing a number of development opportunities for the cricket’s leaders to access. The Leadership Accelerator programme is especially exciting as it is bolted on to each Regional Conference. With five conferences taking place across the globe in 2018, we believe that it gives each of the 104 Members an opportunity to learn new skills which will help develop cricket in their country.”

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ICC Media Release