CRICKET SCOTLAND & CSMOA JOINT STATEMENT
Cricket Scotland and the Cricket Scotland Match Officials Association (CSMOA) can today announce an update on the independent review regarding the governance and operating model of the CSMOA.
Earlier this year, an independent consultant was tasked to review the current operating model of the CSMOA and specifically whether closer integration with Cricket Scotland could improve the situation for both organisations, the officials they represent and the game in general.
The review sets out the current challenges of the CSMOA and, where appropriate, a proposed or possible way forward. An opportunity exists to change the way that match officials are led and managed in Scotland, but this is not without challenges.
Over the past month, Cricket Scotland and representatives of the CSMOA Management Committee have discussed the review findings and worked together to produce a response to this document, giving more information on how they plan to take the proposed actions forward.
Following a recent meeting of the CSMOA Management Committee, an agreement was made to proceed with the implementation of the outcomes of the independent review and re-structure the officials operating model. In accordance with the CSMOA constitution, consultation with the membership will commence soon, where more details on the operating model will be shared.
The proposed new model will transition the governance and operations of officiating in Scotland into the operations department of Cricket Scotland. This will require the CSMOA membership to vote in favour of dissolving the organisation with current members transferring their membership into the national governing body via an EGM.
Should the membership vote in favour of the proposed changes, Cricket Scotland have committed to investing in a new full time Officials Manager who will be in place prior to the 2025 season. This role would be supported by a shared administration resource, as was delivered in 2024.
The proposal also includes several advisory roles from within CSMOA that would assist the proposed Officials Manager with experience and expertise of umpiring and scoring in Scotland.
The Officials Manager would have strategic and delivery responsibility of all aspects of officiating including, supporting officials with recruitment, development, appointments, financial payments and discipline.
The CSMOA management committee commented:
“We continue to experience increased workloads within the organisation, and with many of our management/administration volunteers having full time jobs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide the required capacity on behalf of the membership. It is very much with this in mind that we reached out to Cricket Scotland ahead of the 2024 season.
“The resultant consultation has further reinforced the need for further support, so the transference of responsibility comes at a significant time for the continued improvement of CSMOA.”
Cricket Scotland Trudy Lindblade said:
“The workload of the CSMOA and the volunteers who give up their time to support the organisation has increased greatly in recent years, whilst at the same time its active membership has continued to reduce having a direct impact on available and experienced volunteers to fulfil key roles. This increase in operational pressures, coupled with the additional requirements around governance and compliance, mean this is the right time for Cricket Scotland to bring greater support to match officials in line with our organisational strategy.
“The world of officiating in sport has changed in recent years with added pressure on governance & transparency. Cricket Scotland recognises the vital role officials play in the domestic game in Scotland and as part of our strategy to become a trusted and effective governing body, investing in this area is a priority for us.”