BREAKING NEW GROUND VICTORIAN CRICKET PLANNING FORUM 4 - 5 JUNE 2016 South Australian Cricket Forum 2017 FORUM REPORT SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE - OUTCOMES AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS OUTCOMES & RECOMMENDED ACTIONS The following document provides an overview of outcomes and recommended actions identified by SMC Strategies (SMC) in response to the Cricket Connects Forum stakeholder consultation. These focus upon the following key areas: 1. Collaboration & Communication 2. Volunteers & Resources 3. Facilities 4. Flexibility & Formats 5. Profile & Visibility 6. Inclusion 7. The Cricket Connects Forum Commitment 8. Governance and decision-making processes SMC considers that the proposed actions contribute to the objectives of SACA’s new five year strategy: SACA Strategy 2017-2022: • We will transform junior cricket to be the number 1 sport for children in Australia • Number 1 teams in all competitive formats, female and male • We will be the leading sport for women and girls • We will tailor the game to secure the future of cricket • We will use technology to deliver great experiences for fans, participants and volunteers • We will drive investment in the game via innovative revenue solutions We will support our strategy by: • Sporting leader in stakeholder engagement • People and culture are our top priority • Best practice governance structures for cricket CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 1.1 Continuation of the Cricket Connects engagement program. 1.2 Assignment of dedicated internal SACA resources to collaboratively develop and implement activity and programs arising from the results of Cricket Connects program consultation. 1.3 Sector based workshops. 1.4 Formation of ongoing issue-specific working groups as required. 1. COLLABORATION & COMMUNICATION 1.5 Premier and community cricket player consultation. 1.6 A Cricket Connects Forum update meeting in late 2017 and early to mid 2018. 1.7 Collaborative development and implementation of a project plan to deliver on the Cricket Connects commitment. 1.8 Regular Cricket Connects activity updates and opportunities for contribution by all stakeholders. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 2.1 In collaboration with Clubs and Associations, develop options for providing increased administrative assistance through SACA based and in-the-field resources. 2.2 In collaboration with Premier Clubs, investigate options for part-time paid administrative support (a matter raised in particular by Premier Clubs, where demands upon volunteer resources can be extremely high). 2. VOLUNTEERS & RESOURCES 2.3 This should be aligned with Club delivery on specific objectives, including improved opportunities for junior cricket and girls and women’s cricket development and regional zone contribution. 2.4 Identify options for how SACA (in collaboration with Cricket Australia) can provide improved programs and resources directly assisting Clubs with volunteer attraction, recognition, management and training. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 3.1 SMC understands that SACA is currently developing a new South Australian Infrastructure Strategy that will identify priorities, strategies and key actions in regard to facilities provision and development over the next ten years. 3.2 SMC understands that this is being delivered and supported by the appointment of a new State Infrastructure Manager in late 2017. 3.3 The Infrastructure Strategy will be informed and supported by Cricket Australia’s National Facilities Audit results, together with consultation with local governments, Clubs and Associations. Knowledge of local needs and capacity will be a key plank in achieving 3. FACILITIES required future facilities funding, development and provision. 3.4 SACA should consider working more closely with Clubs and Associations to achieve improved local government relationships and awareness of cricket’s community role and facility requirements. 3.5 SACA should consider working more closely with State Government to increase and accelerate investment in development of gender equal facilities for cricket, including female change rooms. 3.6 SACA should consider developing a strategy in consultation with stakeholders to achieve increased shared use of schools facilities. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 4.1 SACA should consider establishing a working group composed of representatives of all levels and sectors to explore competition structure and format options and identify potential reforms for implementation. 4.2 SACA should consider working directly with girls’ and women’s cricket representatives to identify flexible approaches to formats that will encourage greater participation. 4.3 New formats might also be collaboratively explored for social cricket, with the potential to develop a game format (including modified equipment) capable of play between males and 4. FLEXIBILITY & females together. FORMATS 4.4 SACA should consider consulting with male and female Premier and community cricket players to identify appropriate approaches to competition fixturing that achieve balance between formats (and alignment with elite levels). 4.5 Collaborative exploration by SACA and stakeholders of potential for greater integration with school programs. 4.6 Joint development and implementation of a project plan related to the Cricket Connects commitment will contribute to this process (see Section 7 below). CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 5.1 SACA should consider establishing a girls and womens cricket working group (consisting of representatives of all levels) to identify means to more strongly promote the female game. 5.2 SACA should consider working to ensure that current South Australian female cricketers and Australian stars are engaged in a coordinated program of promotion including regular Club visits and community activity. 5.3 SACA should consider strongly supporting Premier and community cricket clubs and 5. PROFILE & Associations in renewed efforts to promote the game locally. SACA has significant capacity to promote the game through social media channels and it is considered that there is opportunity VISIBILITY to heighten focus on the local game and participants through these means. 5.4 A specific local cricket marketing campaign, including social and traditional media, to be rolled out at season commencement, could also be considered for investment and development. This could be developed in a manner that also allows Club and Association to tailor campaigns to their local markets. 5.5 SACA should consider working directly with indoor cricket representatives to achieve improved visibility and integrated promotion. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 6.1 There are excellent examples in other states of how individual Clubs and Associations (with the support of the State Association and local governments) can very effectively engage with and support new arrivals and young people of diverse cultural backgrounds. 6.2 SACA should consider establishing an inclusion working group to identify strategies to improve inclusion and diversity at Club and Association level. 6.3 Opportunities and programs aimed at increasing Club engagement with multicultural communities should be explored (including new competitions and formats), along with 6. INCLUSION working in partnership with State Government and Inclusive Sports SA to deliver new programs for all abilities participants. 6.4 SACA should consider working more directly with Clubs and Associations to develop, support and resource multicultural strategies. 6.5 As part of the Cricket Connects commitment action plan, cricket stakeholders should work together to identify ways to make the game more inclusive and fun for all. This should include creative exploration of new formats, social competitions and events. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION 7.1 Creation of a Cricket Connects Working Group representing all levels and sectors of cricket with a clearly defined charter, objectives and timeline for draft Action Plan delivery. 7.2 Allocation of dedicated SACA resources in support of the Working Group and the resulting Action Plan. 7. CRICKET 7.3 Joint commitment by SACA and the cricket community to implementing the Action Plan CONNECTS within defined timelines. COMMITMENT 7.4 In SMC’s view, the Action Plan should recognise and deliver on One Team principles and increase South Australian cricket’s capacity to fully realise the value of Cricket Australia support. 7.5 In SMC’s view, the Action Plan should also recognise the importance of achieving State and local government support for the growth of cricket in South Australia. CRICKET CONNECTS - SMC STRATEGIES RESPONSE OCTOBER 2017 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTIONS AREA ACTION SMC understands that SACA has been exploring governance reform options at Board and management levels for some time. SMC understands that SACA is now employing significant resources in undertaking a full consultation process with members and SA cricket stakeholders to develop broad reform proposals to be put to a vote of the membership at a Special General Meeting, which is expected to be held prior to the end of May 2018. 8. GOVERNANCE