This was published 4 years ago
Intrigue as Eddings reappointed as CA chairman
By Jon Pierik
Nottingham: Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings has lost the support of his home state of Victoria but will remain in power for another three years as an independent nominee.
As change continues to sweep through Australian cricket, CA also confirmed on Monday night that former media executive Richard Freudenstein had joined the board as the state director for NSW, replacing Mark Taylor.
Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings.Credit: Eddie Jim
Eddings' decision to step down as a Victorian nomination leaves a vacancy on the board and allows the state to back a candidate of its choosing.
Cricket Victoria chairman Paul Barker, who is also a member of CA's nominations committee, said CV looked forward to continuing to work with Eddings.
"CV supports CA's decision to appoint Earl as an independent director and looks forward to working with him and the CA board as we continue to grow Australian cricket," he said.
There has been mixed feedback about Eddings' tenure since replacing David Peever last year in the wake of the damning Longstaff report.
CV had expressed frustration last year over why he had been made permanent chairman so early in his tenure.
“Cricket Victoria has made its view clear and our preference remains that the interim chairman arrangements were maintained while Australian cricket undertakes a thorough process to fill the recent board vacancies," Barker said in November.
"We have actively encouraged Cricket Australia to pursue this opportunity through an established nominations committee — a process that Cricket Victoria firmly believes would deliver the best outcome for Australian cricket."
In a highly-politicised sphere, it's understood some CV officials had thought Eddings had not done enough for grassroots cricket.
CA board members Michelle Tredenick and John Harden were due to step down at the annual general meeting later this year but have been unanimously endorsed to return.
Nominations committee chair Jacquie Hey said Eddings had made a great contribution since taking charge in difficult circumstances.
"Earl is well respected and has deep connections across all levels of Australian cricket thanks to his involvement in cricket over a number of years as a player, club president and administrator. More recently Earl has contributed as the former co-chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee," she said.
Freudenstein is a former chief executive of Foxtel and had been chief of News Digital Media – the digital division of News Corp Australia. He hd also been chief operating officer at British Sky Broadcasting and is a director of REA Group Limited and Coles Group Limited.
"It is a privilege to be joining the Board of Cricket Australia and I look forward to bringing my skills and experience to the organisation," he said.
"Cricket is in a very strong position and has deep roots in the sporting and cultural life of our country. Like many Australians, I love the game and the impact it has in communities, and I look forward to working with my fellow board colleagues to help take advantage of the opportunities ahead."