Blackwell elected in historic first

Alex Blackwell has added another record to her impressive collection after she became the first woman elected to the Cricket NSW Board.

In the 159-year history of cricket in NSW, no woman had been elected to the Board, with Blackwell’s elevation officially endorsed at a recent general meeting. 

Two women have previously sat on the CNSW Board – former director Rina Hore and current director Patricia Forsythe – but Blackwell is the first woman to be elected by CNSW members.

The 34-year-old, who announced her retirement from international and state cricket in February, played 251 matches for Australia including 144 ODIs, the most by any Australian.

She bowed out of the game in Australia’s successful retention of the Women’s Ashes and played a starring role in the crucial opening victory at Allan Border Field last October. 

Blackwell will continue to play for the Sydney Thunder in the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League, but will now spend time in the boardroom along with finding the boundary. 

“I grew up loving the game and am grateful for all the opportunities that cricket has given me,” Blackwell said.

“I want to continue contributing to the game and thank the Cricket NSW members for the faith they have placed in me to do that at Board level.

“I have been fortunate to play during a rapidly expanding era in women’s cricket and being the first woman elected to the cricket NSW Board continues that journey.

“Cricket in Australia has never been watched or played by more people, particularly women and girls, and I am keen to help ensure that continues."

CNSW chief executive Andrew Jones paid tribute to Blackwell.

“Alex is Australia’s most capped female player, a storied NSW and Australian captain and the winner of no fewer than 22 international and domestic titles,” Jones said.

“She is a brilliant leader and will be an outstanding director.

“Alex’s election shows the value of recent governance reforms at Cricket NSW.

“Male and female cricket was run separately in NSW until integration in 2004. And until 2016 elected directors could only be drawn from a pool of 34 club, zone and association delegates, all but one of whom were male.

“Now members can nominate anyone for election they believe to be qualified. This important change allows members to elect people the calibre of Alex as directors without them needing to be delegates first.

“Cricket NSW is now well placed to attract well-qualified past players and other highly-skilled friends of cricket to make a significant contribution at board level.”