By David Nagel
Long-time administrator Rob Hansen will “call time” on his cricket journey and refuse the temptation of nominating for the recently vacated position of President of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA).
New nominations are being called for to fill the vacant position after a motion was passed by the association’s member clubs on Tuesday 18 June.
In a secret ballot, the majority of clubs voted in favour of passing the motion to declare the President’s position vacant; effectively ending the tenure of the now 80-year-old.
The motion was put forward after an unofficial meeting of CCCA clubs was held in May; with several clubs believing the time was right for Hansen to step down.
Discontent with Hansen’s leadership style has been building in recent years, and grew stronger throughout the 2023/24 CCCA season; resulting in the motion being put forward.
With the CCCA president’s position now vacant, the role is open to all-comers, with Hansen receiving support in some quarters to reapply for the role.
Despite the well-wishes, Hansen has decided the time is right to bring to an end an administration career that extends all the way back to 1973.
Terry Stephenson and his great friend Hansen became President and Secretary respectively of the then Berwick Pakenham District Cricket Association that year.
“People have contacted me and want me to re-nominate, but I want to call time,” Hansen said.
“I admit that things haven’t been as smooth as they might have been over the last 12 months, but the way people have gone about this process has left me disappointed and upset.
“Resolving issues is not about chopping the head off the beast and expecting everything to be hunky-dory again – with everyone sailing off into the sunset – it’s just not a good business-like approach to deal with issues the way they’ve been dealt with.
“My approach has always been one of consensus, of talking things through with people, and resolving them.
“I’ve had a number of people contact me and ask me to stand again, but I believe I’ve had my time and already made a pretty valuable contribution to what has gone on over 50 years in the association.”
Since beginning his playing career at Pakenham in 1968, Hansen has been a familiar figure in the region for 56 years.
His administration journey includes five years as president, one as vice-president, 14 years as secretary/general manager and a season as junior manager.
He has been a driving force behind the CCCA’s Female Cricket Group, and in 2022 worked with Cricket Victoria Senior Manager Chris Harris, who asked the CCCA to work on initiating new clubs.
After three years of lobbying with Cardinia Shire, Avengers Cricket Club was introduced as a new club in the CCCA for the 2023/24 season.
Avengers, based at James Bathe Reserve, were joined by Melbourne Sixers and Kerala Strikers as the newest CCCA clubs.
“I’ve had my time; had my go, and hopefully the next crop can be as passionate about the association as I have been,” Hansen said.
“I think I have spent enough of my time attempting to create a clear path for local cricket…but it’s a case of enough is enough.”
Hansen said his disappointment stems from unwillingness from others to talk things through and try to resolve their issues.
“I’m incredibly disappointed that I was presented with a fait accompli, people had made their minds up without any room to move in regards to talking things through and fixing what needed to be fixed,” he said.
“I reached out to clubs to see how we could help, I was partly through that, but it was interrupted by what happened.
“Possibly I could have got on the front foot more, but there didn’t seem to be that appetite from others.
“The disappointment is more about the process that has taken place, and how people believe the president is responsible for everything, when actually it’s a team approach from the whole Board of Management and clubs feeding off that.”
In accordance with the CCCA Constitution, Vice-President Ben Knowles has assumed the President’s duties in the interim.
Knowles, in his first duty in his interim capacity, has called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) to be held on Wednesday 10 July, where a new CCCA President will be elected to serve a one-year term.
Nominations will be taken up to 24 hours prior to the SGM being held.
Last Tuesday night’s meeting was chaired by VCCL Region 8 Manager Keith Thompson, and was attended by CCCA club president’s including Devon Meadows leader Michael Floyd.
Floyd remains respectful of Hansen’s contribution to cricket in the region, but strongly believes the motion being carried is in the best interests of the competition moving forward.
“Rob has been a tremendous servant of the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association, having served in a number of roles within the Association over the course of more than four decades,” Floyd said.
“However, a number of issues have arisen over the past few seasons and the clubs have made it clear that a change is needed.
“For the Association to grow into the strong, vibrant competition we believe it can be, it needs a new voice and new direction.
“It is important that people use this opportunity to put their hand up and get involved in setting the direction of the Association, to re-engage with the clubs, and to bring fresh enthusiasm to cricket in the region.
“It has been a challenging period for the clubs, the Association, and its members.
“The result of the vote was conclusive, and it is now incumbent on the clubs to work together with whoever is elected; for the betterment of the Association and for the game of cricket through Casey and Cardinia.”
