Cricket SA admits to shortcomings in ensuring women leadership

Richards made the concession following their Annual General Meeting which took place in Johannesburg on Saturday, saying it is something that needs sharp focus in the coming year.

He says while they are concerned about how things are at the moment and would like to have more women take up those positions of leadership, a lot depends on the affiliate unions and who they nominate from their level.

"I must be 100% genuine with you guys and say that we have regressed. Our ability to retain cricket in cricket leadership out of a female perspective at affiliate level is something that we are very concerned about and we are looking at ways of strengthening that,” Richards said. 

“We'll have to debate very suddenly in the new year to ensure that we do address it because it's a matter that was raised in my members council on Wednesday night when we had a meeting. 

“We cannot expect that all the women should come from the independent directors, the big problem is that you are very dependent on what happens at an affiliate level."

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He further explained that the problem is not in the national body itself, but has to be rectified within the unions if it’s going to organically work out within the national structures.

"You must remember, the members determine who represents them at an affiliate level. So, over the years we have not been able to bring people through. I remember at various stages there was a big number of female representatives at various affiliate boards as well as at the general members councils,” he added. 

“That has changed over the years and I think it's something that we need to address honestly now. I think it's the same question we raised a year or two back, it has actually been highlighted in the last transformation committees, I think it was the Indaba with all the transformation chairs from all the different provinces. 

“So, we are aware of the problem and we have to solve it and we can't keep defering and defering although we fulfill what we project if we do not start creating opportunities for them, I don't see this changing very soon and it is a concern for us."