Leshia Hawkins has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Wales, she is set to begin her duties from February 2020.
Leshia joins Cricket Wales succeeding from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), where she had a responsibility as Regional Head of Participation and Growth for the London area. Which included working with Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Essex First Class Counties and County Boards.
She has been in the field for a long time, Adding to her past experiences Leshia has facilitated significant joint partnership working across the London counties, including the making of the London Cricket Trust, the re-structure of the Women’s Hardball Leagues, and increased investment for youth cricket development. She is also a non-executive director of England Athletics as well as appointed as Board Diversity champion. Leshia was the ECB’s Business Development Manager, during which time her achievements included securing sponsorship across the game, from grassroots to Team England, from the likes of New Balance, Kia Motors UK, Harrogate Spring Water & Jewson.
Leshia is former captain of Durham University Women’s cricket team, is looking forward to leading Cricket Wales on the next phase of its development:
“I am very grateful to the Cricket Wales Board for offering me this role and am extremely proud to be taking on this challenge. I can’t wait to get to work with all the passionate people involved in our sport in Wales, especially at such an exciting time for cricket, capitalizing on the Men’s World Cup victory this summer, the advent of the new men’s & women’s Hundred competition and cricket’s new strategy. My focus will be to ensure we nurture our core playing market, but also to make our game as accessible and welcoming as possible for all groups”, she said.
Cricket Wales Chair, Rod Jones, added: ‘We are delighted to be welcoming Leshia as our new CEO and look forward to her working with the Board on our new joint strategy with Glamorgan Cricket. Leshia has a real passion for cricket and brings outstanding sports development, business acumen, and relationship management experience to the role.’
Leshia was overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages and tweeted about the same, including a message for all the girls out there –
I have been completely floored by an overwhelmingly humbling last 24 hours, full of kind words and encouragement about my bit of news.
Reflecting tonight on what I’ve learned in the last few days, weeks and months: pic.twitter.com/tTv4AqM6zl— Leshia Hawkins (@LeshiaHawkEye) November 26, 2019
A female leader at this position is clearly a flag bearer of betterment in women’s cricket and a leading example for other countries as well.
Source: Glamorgan cricket
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