Lisa Sthalekar Appointed For Further Term As WCA President. Vishal Misra, Judith Griggs Join WCA Commercial Advisory Board
WCA held its Annual General Meeting in Colombo this week, during the ICC Women’s World Cup. The meeting was attended by WCA’s Board, sub-committees, and players’ associations from around the world.
Appointments
The Board was pleased to confirm the appointments of Lisa Sthalekar as President, and Tony Irish as an Independent director for further three-year terms. The Board was also pleased to confirm the appointments of Vishal Misra and Judith Griggs as independents on the WCA Commercial Advisory Board, along with Paul Marsh. They replace Sanjog Gupta and Todd Greenberg.
International Player Meetings
The Board noted feedback received from players at recent international team meetings, and updates provided to players at those meetings to ensure they are well informed of issues in the game and behind the scenes. The Board noted the players from 16 of the top 20 countries in the world are now affiliated to WCA, as more player groups continue to get organised to represent themselves in their own countries and at global level, despite ongoing opposition to that.
Olympics
The Board heard a presentation on the terms and conditions that currently face athletes within the Olympic movement. There are a number of questions with respect to cricket players’ participation which WCA looks forward to discussing with the ICC in due course, and in line with the work of other players’ associations from across sports as part of the World Players’ Association group.
Global Game Structure
The Board discussed the WCA Global Game Structure Report released earlier in the year and plans to continue to advocate for and contribute to much needed changes to the game’s global structure.
Non-Payment Progress
The Board received an update on ongoing player non-payment issues in domestic leagues around the world. However, it was pleased to hear about a more concerted effort being made by the ICC under its new leadership to ensuring the players from all countries receive the ICC Event prize money and commercial rights payments that were negotiated for players by WCA as part of the WCA / ICC collective agreement reached in 2024.
WCA Commercial Program
The Commercial Advisory Board heard an update from Winners Alliance on their positive progress in representing certain global group licensing rights of WCA affiliated players, and athletes from other global sports. The Board was pleased to note the volume of completed global licensing partnerships, and most recently a strategic partnership with global media platform X which will benefit WCA affiliated players and pro tennis players.
Commenting on the outcomes of the meeting:
WCA Chair Heath Mills said:
“We were delighted to be hosted in Sri Lanka for our 2025 AGM during the Women’s ODI World Cup. It was also great to confirm the reappointment of Lisa Sthalekar as our President for a further three-year term. Lisa is an outstanding ambassador for our game and we’re fortunate to have her in this important player leadership role”.
“The re-appointment of Tony Irish as an Independent Director for a further three-year term will ensure WCA retains valuable experience and knowledge around the table, given his 24 years of service to the game and its players”.
“The Board was also very pleased with the progress being made by management in several work streams under the excellent leadership of our Chief Executive Tom Moffat.”
WCA President Lisa Sthalekar said:
“The work of WCA and the players’ associations has never been more important and I’m happy to continue to play a role to ensure the players and the game prosper into the future.”
WCA CEO Tom Moffat said:
“We are excited to have people of the calibre and experience of Vishal Misra and Judith Griggs join our Commercial Advisory Board. Their experience will add huge value to WCA and affiliated players.”
Vishal Misra said:
“Having seen some of the work WCA has done and where the game is heading from a distance, I’m excited to get involved and to work with the players associations and players around the world. Cricket has given me so much in life, and I’m grateful for the chance to give back to the game in whatever small way I can”.
Judith Griggs said:
“Athletes will always be at the epicentre of sport. Their on-field value continues to increase, as does their value as content creators, storytellers and broadcasters. The WCA is well positioned to continue to assist the members and cricketers who are affiliated to it and I look forward to contributing.”
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The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) is the global players body in cricket. WCA collectively represents the players across the majority of top cricket playing countries at global level through their domestic players’ associations, and with over 600 international players participating in its global commercial program. WCA cares about:
Players – Advocating for, supporting, and providing world class services to players at global level
Players’ Associations – Enabling and empowering players’ associations around the world
The Game – Positively influencing the direction of the global game
Optimising Commercial Value – For players and powering the player movement
To learn more please visit www.theworldca.com
