EC’s Cutler appointed Vanuatu Cricket CEO

Emerging Cricket’s very own Tim Cutler has been appointed CEO of the Vanuatu Cricket Association, taking over from Shane Deitz who joins the Netherlands in a coaching role.

The Vanuatu Cricket Association made the announcement today in Port Vila and comes just weeks after the appointment of Jeremy Bray as men’s national team coach, as the island nation prepares for World Cup qualification and higher honours through both men’s and women’s pathways.

‘The Vanuatu Cricket Board would like to congratulate Tim Cutler as the new CEO for the Vanuatu Cricket Association. The VCA has a strong vision for the future and require a well experienced person to lead the operations of the Association to achieve our ambitions,’ Mark Stafford, president of the VCA, announced in a press release.

‘Tim brings a great wealth of experience and a real passion for the game which we require to be able to achieve our ambitions.

‘We believe strongly in Tim’s abilities and experience and we expect the growth and development of the game throughout Vanuatu and our National Cricket teams’ performances around the world to continue to improve under his leadership as we have done for the past twenty years.’

Cutler joins Vanuatu with experience in the equivalent role in Hong Kong from 2015 to 2017 – Hong Kong Cricket’s first ever CEO – overseeing the likes of the T20 Blitz and other initiatives that took the game to new heights in the special administrative region. On top of creating the Emerging Cricket platform in late 2018, Cutler brings experience from several corporate, commercial and leadership roles across multiple business sectors.

‘Vanuatu are one of the leading lights of Associate cricket and I’m honoured to be selected as its CEO,’ Cutler expressed in the release.

‘It’s easy to be passionate about what Vanuatu Cricket is doing when you see the joy on the faces of everyone involved.’

While sport coming to a screeching halt halfway through last year, Vanuatu grew its presence in the cricket world by showcasing its elite men’s and women’s talent to millions of viewers. The Cricket Association’s quick-thinking and initiative to launch the Vanuatu Blast in June made news around the world, as one of the few sporting events running in the midst of the pandemic.

‘From the innovation shown in broadcasting the first ICC member cricket after the coronavirus caused so much disruption, to initiatives like Women’s Island Cricket Program, the VCA consistently deliver on their mission to create a positive impact in the Pacific through cricket,’ Cutler continued.

‘Already having ten percent of the population picking up a bat and ball is such an achievement, and it is the VCA’s development programs that are the beating heart of this success and we will not only continue to grow the game but also help develop leaders in the community.

‘I hope to achieve with the VCA a future that sees that substantial growth of the game which can only be achieved by establishing additional revenue sources beyond the excellent support from the ICC. As such, building deeper partnerships with like-minded companies throughout Vanuatu and beyond will be a key focus in my role.’

Cutler is aiming to reach Vanuatu to begin his tenure in mid-April.

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