Photo Credit: Western Australian Cricket Association
WA Cricket congratulates Chief Executive Officer Christina Matthews on her appointment to Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.
Matthews was appointed for significant service to cricket as a player and administrator, and to women.
She has been recognised for her playing achievements and her involvement in sports administration at Cricket NSW, Cricket Australia, and WA Cricket, as well as her presence on boards and sub-committees benefiting women in sport.
Matthews was wicketkeeper for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team from 1984 – 1995 and Vice Captain from 1991 – 1994. During this time, she played in 20 Test matches and 47 One Day Internationals.
During her final year of playing, she was appointed the Coaching and Development Manager for Women’s Cricket Australia which is a role she held for nine years before becoming General Manager of the UTS-Balmain District Cricket Club.
In 2002 she returned to Cricket NSW as Events and Supporter Clubs Coordinator before becoming General Manager of Commercial Operations, Marketing and Communications for seven years. During this time, she was also involved with Cricket Australia as a Member of the Women’s National Selection Panel from 2007 – 2011.
She then made the move to Western Australia to take the helm of WA Cricket in 2012 where she has overseen the most successful period of the organisation’s history both on and off the field.
Matthews announced she would be stepping down from the role of WA Cricket CEO earlier this year after a twelve year tenure.
She has been a Member of the Women of Sport Advisory Committee since 2021 and Chair of the Western Australia Chapter Minerva Network since 2020. Previously she was a Member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Females in Sports Leadership and Chair of the Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Champions of Change, both from 2015 – 2017.
Matthews was Chair of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth organising committee from 2020 – 2023 and is still a Board Director.
She was recognised as the 2022 Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Sports Administrator of the Year, and is a Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club and Melbourne Cricket Club.
Matthews says being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia is an honour that has allowed her to reflect on her career.
“It is a humbling experience to look back on my many years in cricket, both as a player and administrator, and there are many people who have helped me get to where I am today,” Matthews said.
“As I prepare to leave WA Cricket in two months, I am proud to see the organisation in a period of growth, connecting and embracing people from all backgrounds and abilities, and providing an inclusive and safe space for all.
“I am passionate about providing equal opportunities and empowering women, so to be recognised for service to women is something that is very special to me in an area that I will continue to champion.
“This is an incredible honour and thank you to everyone who has assisted and guided me along the way.”
WA Cricket also passes its congratulations onto five worthy recipients of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) who have longstanding involvement with cricket in Western Australia.
Dr Helen Elizabeth Parker (AM) has been recognised for significant service to health science and physical education.
She played 106 State games for WA after debuting in 1970-71 and was the first female Commissioner of the Western Australian Football Commission from 2000 – 2022.
Dr Parker has been involved in many facets of sports through her work as a former member of the WA Sports Council’s Women in Sport sub-committee and the Applied Sports Research advisory committee and has worked in health science and physical education with the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Australian Sports Medicine Federation, The University of Western Australia, and the University of Notre Dame.
Zoë Goss (OAM) has been recognised for service to cricket.
Goss played 80 State matches for WA between 1985 – 2005 and was Captain of the side from 1991 – 1996 and 1999 – 2005 where she was voted the Best WA Player on 10 occasions.
She also played 28 matches for Victoria between 1996 – 1999 and was Captain for the 1997-98 season.
Goss made her International debut in 1987 and featured in 65 One Day Internationals and 12 Test Matches until 2000. She took 20 wickets and made 280 runs during her Test career, and 64 wickets and 1099 runs in ODI’s.
Goss returned to WA Cricket as Assistant Coach of the WA State Women’s and Perth Scorchers Women’s teams in 2015 and continues to be a mentor for both sides. She is currently Head Coach of WA Cricket’s Aboriginal Talent Academy.
She was awarded WA Cricket Life Membership in 2014 and was elevated into the Gallery of Greats in 2022. The Zoe Goss Medal has been awarded annually to the Western Australian Female Cricketer of the Year since 2008.
Michael Snell (OAM) has been recognised for service to business, and to the community.
Snell was appointed to the WACA Board in May 2023, following a previous term in the 1980s.
He is currently President of Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club where he is also a past player and Life Member and was Chairman of Lord’s Taverners Australia’s Western Australian branch from 2007 – 2016.
As well as being involved in all aspects of local cricket administration, he is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and is a retired Partner of accounting firm PwC.
Dawn Newman (OAM) has been recognised for service to the community through Zonta International, and to cricket.
Newman debuted for Western Australia in 1968-69 and went on to play 80 games for the State. She was also selected for three International Test Matches for Australia in 1968-69.
Her association with Zonta International began in 1985 at a local level before advancing to Chairman of the International Public Relations and Communications committee. Zonta is an international service organisation with the mission of building a better world for women and girls.
Leo John McManus (OAM) has been recognised for service to local government, and the community of Nedlands.
McManus was the inaugural President of Claremont Nedlands Cricket Club and is currently Vice President. Before this, he was President of Claremont Cottesloe Cricket Club for the 1987-88 season where he was awarded Life Membership in 1990.
WA Cricket congratulates these recipients for their service to cricket, local communities and specialty areas.
