Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW Chair John Knox has paid tribute to departing director Neil Maxwell after Maxwell indicated he would step down from his position on the CNSW board at the end of the month.
Born in Fiji, Maxwell has been a lifelong contributor to cricket, firstly as a player and then as a marketer, player manager, volunteer, administrator and cricket parent.
He was awarded NSW Blues cap number 647 in 1993 and was part of the Blues squad that won the Sheffield Shield and the domestic One-Day Cup in the 1993/94 summer.
He has been a director of CNSW for the past five years, playing a leading role in reinforcing the connection of past players with today’s game, driving a state-wide focus on participation with a particular focus on 5-12yr-olds, and encouraging CNSW’s partnership with Major League Cricket in the USA and the Washington Freedom franchise.
Knox said Maxwell’s involvement and influence in the health of cricket in NSW could not be underestimated.
“Neil (Maxwell) has been a loyal servant of cricket for decades and over the last five years has made an immeasurable contribution to Cricket NSW as a valued director,” Knox said.
“He brought an enormous amount of passion to our board and that was matched by his shrewd business acumen and cricket nous.
“We wish Neil well in his future endeavours, knowing he will always be a friend and contributor to cricket in NSW, nationally and globally.”
Maxwell said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time as a CNSW director, but the time was right for him to focus on his business interests.
“I’ve loved my time on the Cricket NSW board and it’s something that I have been hugely passionate about,” Maxwell said.
“My business interests require me to have more focus these days and I would like to try and add value to cricket in those areas.
“Like all of us, I want cricket to grow and as part of that my business interests provide that vehicle and that challenge.”
Maxwell said the changing face of cricket around the world presented the sport and CNSW with both challenges and prospects to build for the future.
“The game is changing rapidly, even before our eyes and it is crucial that administrators get ahead of the change,” he said.
“The globalisation of the game, with a group of clubs and brands becoming major partners with competitions across the globe presents both state and national administrators with a challenge and an enormous opportunity.
“With their partnerships with Major League Cricket and Washington, CNSW have already demonstrated their willingness to be part of that change. I want to be part of that change too, so I’ll still be around, it will just be in a different capacity.”
Maxwell’s position on the CNSW board will be filled at the Annual General Meeting in September when the CNSW delegates elect a new director to replace him.
