Emslie in shock exit
After 19 years at the helm, EP Cricket chief executive quits
DAVE Emslie dropped a bombshell yesterday when he announced his resignation as chief executive of Eastern Province Cricket.
An emotional Emslie said after “considerable thought” he would be calling time on a position he has held since 1994 in order to pursue other interests in the sports marketing industry.
He added that after 19 years in the hot seat a new outlook and approach was necessary to take Eastern Province Cricket forward.
“There comes a time in one’s life when one has to take stock and it is my absolute conviction that a freshening up of EP Cricket is required,” said Emslie, whose last official da6y will be July 31.
“I often look back to when I was appointed as CEO and the unbridled enthusiasm with which I, with the help and support of a highly committed and competent staff, tackled the task of building what was then a new organisation borne out of the unity process.
“I believe this job has been done, and while challenges still and will always exist, the time has come for someone else together with the board and staff to have the privilege of leading EP Cricket.”
Emslie said the journey had at times taken him to the depths of despair.
“But far more prevalent has been the good times with all the cogs of the EP Cricket machine working together for the common good of cricket in our region.”
“Unless one has had direct dealings with the staff at Axxess St George’s, one will not know the quality of person in the employ of EP Cricket and what a true privilege to have been of what the late Raymond Uren referred to as the ‘Dream Team’. I will miss them dearly and would like to record my absolute respect for their skills and values. Very special people they are.”
During his tenure, the Warriors have produced numerous national players including the likes of Johan Botha, Ashwell Prince, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Colin Ingram, Wayne Parnell and Rusty Theron. He also played a crucial role in the development of new Proteas coach Russell Domingo.
EP Cricket president Graeme Sauls paid tribute to Emslie’s career.
“Dave has given 19 years of his life to EP cricket and everyone involved in cricket is indebted to him for his outstanding contribution to the game in the province,” said Sauls.
“Under Dave’s leadership, our city has continued to remain a venue of choice for our national side and many, many quality players have been through the system at all levels. Through the years there have been many challenges but what has seen Dave through all of these is his unique love and passion for the game.”
With regard to the immediate management of the Warriors, which is currently a responsibility of Eastern Province Cricket, the board of directors of Cricket Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd (Warriors) took a recent decision that it would be in the interests of professional cricket for the company to have a chief executive who would manage the affairs of the franchise independent of either of its shareholders, EP Cricket and Border Cricket.
The company will now conduct a search for a Warriors chief executive. Emslie will, in the interim, manage the franchise until a suitable candidate is found.