ICC appoints new Global Development Manager

Matthew Kennedy Photo © ICC

Matthew Kennedy will take over as the International Cricket Council's Global Development Manager from January the ICC announced today.

Mr Kennedy, currently the ICC's Regional Development Manager for the East-Asia Pacific region, won the role after a worldwide search to fill the position which oversees the ICC Global Development Program.

ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that Kennedy was the outstanding candidate to emerge from a strong field for the crucial role.

"The ICC was in the fortunate position of having multiple applicants who were capable of taking on this important role but Matthew's credentials for this role are outstanding. He has a terrific background in establishing and delivering development programs through his current role with the ICC and before that with the Victorian Cricket Association in Australia," said Mr Speed.

"This is a critically important role for the growth of the game internationally and he will bring with him the operational understanding of development issues as well as the capacity to think strategically about continuing the impressive growth cricket has enjoyed around the world."

Mr Kennedy said that he was looking forward to taking up the position and would relocate from Australia to the ICC's offices in London as soon as possible.

"It almost goes without saying but I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to take on this role," said Mr Kennedy.

"Cricket is enjoying a period of significant growth with 89 countries now members of the ICC and this position will give me the chance to help shape the future development of the game around the world."

Since 1997 cricket has enjoyed a dramatic rise in popularity around the world with the number of members of the ICC growing from 47 to 89 in that time.

The ICC's Global Development Program has development staff in place around the world to fund and work with individual country boards and regional associations to design and deliver development programs.

It also delivers the ICC High Performance program implemented by Bob Woolmer for the leading associate members to help `fast track' the development of cricket in these countries.

Kennedy replaces Andrew Eade who resigned from the position in October to take up the role of Chief Executive of the Auckland Cricket Association in New Zealand.

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