Former WA governor leaves WACA after board split

Former state governor Kerry Sanderson left the board after a majority of her fellow board members voted against extending her term.

WA cricket is in the middle of a golden era on the field, but the WACA board has suffered a number of fractures. Picture: Getty Images

Former state governor Kerry Sanderson left the board of the Western Australian Cricket Association after a majority of her fellow board members voted against extending her term.

The Australian understands a proposal to give another year to Ms Sanderson – arguably the most prominent name on the WACA board – was voted down 5-4 in a moment that underscores the ongoing divisions inside the organisation’s leadership.

While WA cricket is in the middle of a golden era on the field, the WACA board has suffered a number of fractures amid concerns from some corners of the membership over the organisation’s direction.

There are fears among some WACA members about its ability to fund the ongoing redevelopment of the famous venue’s northern side, while WA cricket greats Dennis Lillee, Graeme Wood and Mike Veletta have all fallen out publicly with the WACA in recent years.

Ms Sanderson’s departure comes at a sensitive time, with the board closing in on a decision about who should replace long-serving chief executive Christina Matthews.

Outgoing Governor of Western Australia Kerry Sanderson. Picture: AAP

According to people with knowledge of the situation, the WACA board has often been split 5-5 in two camps, one supportive of Ms Matthews, and the other concerned about the WACA’s direction and management.

The latter camp may now appear to have the numbers in the wake of the departure of Ms Sanderson, who was required to abstain from voting on extending her term and who is understood to have been a strong supporter of Ms Matthews.

Christina Matthews at the WACA. Picture: Colin Murty

The WACA has also been mired in an ongoing dispute over board member Paul Collins, who had his membership temporarily suspended earlier this year after a Cricket Australia investigation into alleged behaviour.

Mr Collins last year spoke out publicly against the WACA’s decision to exclude urinals from the new ground redevelopment, although the WACA has denied that those comments had anything to do with his suspension.

His suspension from the board was overturned soon after Mr Collins threatened legal action to defend himself, although it is understood that the WACA has incurred significant legal costs in the months it has been trying to resolve the issue.

A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Collins for a legal fighting fund has so far raised almost $9000, including a $500 donation from Lillee.

Ms Sanderson was one of three WACA board members who were at WA’s Government House last week for an event honouring Ms Matthews.

The event was hosted by WA Governor Chris Dawson, who is also the WACA’s patron in chief.

Prominent recruitment firm Gerard Daniels has been engaged to lead the process to find Ms Matthews’s replacement.

Current chief financial officer Justin Michael has been named as interim CEO.

WACA chair Avril Fahey declined to comment on the circumstances around Ms Sanderson’s departure.

In an email to WACA members confirming the end of Ms Sanderson’s tenure, Ms Fahey said the former governor had provided a “wealth of knowledge and guidance” during her time on the board.

“She had indicated to the board that workload pressures with other organisations prevented her from seeking another three-year term,” Ms Fahey said.