Scotland’s national agency for sport, sportscotland, has today (Friday 30 September) published an interim update into the progress made by Cricket Scotland following an independent review into racism in Scottish cricket.
The Plan4Sport Changing The Boundaries report concluded that the governance and leadership practices of Cricket Scotland were institutionally racist. This followed an in-depth consultation process with close to 1,000 direct engagements from a broad cross-section of all levels of the sport in Scotland.
Changing The Boundaries contained three immediate high-level recommendations, with associated sub-recommendations. Today’s interim update provides an overview of progress against each of the key recommendations, with sportscotland also committing to further public updates over the next 12 months. These updates will be published in January 2023, April 2023, July 2023 and October 2023.
Recommendations
Special Measures
Cricket Scotland to be placed in special measures by sportscotland. Special measures be in place until October 2023 to provide a full year of oversight by sportscotland.
Status: Ongoing
Board recruitment
Cricket Scotland to commence an immediate recruitment process for new Board members, with appointments made by 30 September 2022. (The diversity of the Board members should be a minimum of 40% men and 40% women, and ensuring that a minimum of 25% of the total Board makeup come from of Black, South-East Asian, or other mixed or multiple ethnic groups.)
Status: In progress
- Board positions were advertised on 15 August, with an intentional approach to reach a diverse audience.
- Final interviews for independent chair ongoing with appointment to be confirmed by 21 October 2022.
- Final interviews for independent board members ongoing with appointments to be confirmed by 21 October 2022.
Action Plan
Action Plan to be developed by Cricket Scotland which addresses the immediate actions and short-term KPIs contained within the Changing The Boundaries report. The Action Plan should be approved by sportscotland by 30 September 2022
Status: In progress
- Action plan is with Running Out Racism and Sporting Equals for consultation prior to final sign off by sportscotland. This will be published in the coming days.
Special measures (WDCU)
Western District Cricket Union (WDCU) is placed in special measures by Cricket Scotland with immediate effect.
Status: Ongoing
WDCU disciplinary processes
Temporary and immediate suspension of WDCU’s role in managing all disciplinary matters relating to its competitions and clubs. These are to be handed to an alternative organisation to manage.
Status: Complete
WDCU review
An urgent, independent review into the overall effectiveness of WDCU’s Management Committee implementation of the disciplinary processes to be completed by 30 September 2022.
Status: In progress
- New WDCU Executive Committee appointed 7 September 2022.
- 50% of newly Executive Committee positions filled by people from ethnically diverse communities.
- Independent review of disciplinary process to be completed by 30 October 2022.
Referrals
Cricket Scotland addresses the backlog in referrals generated from the review. All investigations resulting from referrals to be expedited by a third party with the appropriate expertise.
Status: In progress
- Independent process to appropriately consider and investigate complaints established on 13 September 2022.
- Process led by sports law firm Harper MacLeod LLP, UK-wide race equality charity Sporting Equals with support from anti-racism campaign group Running Out Racism.
- Where appropriate, investigations are now underway.