Professional Cricketers’ Association Announces Senior Appointments – 07/01/2008

Professional Cricketers’ Association Announces Senior Appointments – 07/01/2008 The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), the representative body for past and present first class cricketers, today announced that legendary former England all-rounder, Sir Ian Botham, will succeed Mike Gatting as its president. Gatting has served the PCA in this honorary ambassadorial role for nearly two decades and the PCA wishes to record its gratitude for his unstinting support and wise counsel. Former Hampshire player, Sean Morris (39), has been appointed group chief executive. He replaces Richard Bevan who, after 11 years at the PCA, has taken up his appointment as chief executive of the League Managers’ Association. Morris had six seasons at Hampshire in the 1990s before injury curtailed his cricket career. Following his retirement, he joined Dunlop Slazenger where he was responsible for establishing Slazenger as a leading UK cricket brand. Part of Slazenger’s success came through a business partnership with the PCA that he engineered. More recently, Morris has worked for a Formula 1 event sponsorship business and in 2004 he established Truant, a private members’ club and bespoke events company. Jason Ratcliffe is promoted from group director to assistant chief executive. The former Warwickshire and Surrey all-rounder has been with the PCA for six years and is extremely highly regarded throughout the game. In the past couple of years he has been responsible for launching a number of development programmes for cricketers, several of which will benefit them now and help to prepare them for life after retirement. His promotion is in recognition of his invaluable contribution across the organisation and in particular the areas of player representation, giving the PCA a clear voice on all major cricket issues. Commenting on the new appointments, which take effect today, Tim O’Gorman, group chairman of the PCA, said: "We are delighted that Sir Ian Botham has accepted our offer to become president. He will bring a welcome fresh perspective and help build further profile for the PCA. On behalf of all players over the past few years, I would like to thank Mike for the huge amount of time and undying commitment he has given the organisation. Without him we would not be in such excellent shape today. "The PCA now plays a unique and valuable role in cricket and players benefit greatly from our support. Richard Bevan was instrumental in this development and he worked tirelessly to transform the organisation’s fortunes. While we’re very sorry to say goodbye to Richard, the appointment of Sean Morris, an individual of the highest calibre, is excellent news for the PCA. Under his leadership we will be able to achieve even more than currently." Sir Ian Botham, president of the PCA, said: "When I first started playing cricket, the PCA’s role was to provide basic insurance protection and a bare minimum of representation with the counties. The PCA has always been there when players’ needs have been greatest and in the last 10 years it has developed into a formidable force in the game. I’m very proud to become its president and will do all I can to ensure players continue to be looked after and championed, both while playing and in their retirement." Sean Morris, PCA group chief executive, said: "I am delighted to be joining such a progressive and successful organisation and to have the opportunity to develop services for the PCA’s members and business partners. I am looking forward to continuing the significant progress that the PCA has made over recent years, and to work with the other major stakeholders in the game. It will be a privilege to be part of such a talented and successful team."