The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has replaced the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) as the new name of the global players’ organisation for cricket. Following a board meeting and 25th anniversary celebration in New York, which took place in tandem with the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, a decision was made.
The Australian cricketer Tim May, who was the first CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and the first full-time CEO of FICA in 2005, is also honoured by the Tim May Medal, which was instituted by the WCA. One winner of the medal will be “recipients who have provided outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket.”
Richard Bevan and May himself were declared the award’s first recipients. From 2003 to 2007, Bevan served as the CEO of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, which is the player union for English cricket players.
“There has never been a more important time for players to be collectively represented in their own countries, and at global level,” Tom Moffat, CEO of the WCA, stated. “WCA now represents the great majority of the world’s top men’s and women’s players, and players will always remain the game’s greatest asset and source of potential, regardless of the fragmentation of the sport.
“We wanted to clearly express and represent our involvement in the game on a global scale, which is why we changed the name to the World Cricketers’ Association.
“With this name change, we would like to thank everyone who helped to create and support FICA. It has accomplished a great deal for players, their associations, and the game in its brief existence. We are optimistic about the future of our game and the overall player representation it will hold as we consider the last 25 years and the contributions of those who have constructed it.”