USA Cricket announced the launch of their new membership portal on Wednesday.
Developed in partnership with Funngage, an India-based tech sports platform fronted by former BCCI international and Lok Sabha Parliament Member Gautham Gambhir, the portal aims for considerable USAC membership gains, which could bring benefits such as increased appeal to potential sponsors.
The launch will rollout in three phases. Phase One includes the verification process for members of all pre-registered Leagues/Academies, with start dates of January 4 for the East Zone; January 11 for the Mid-Atlantic, South, and Mid-West zones; and January 18 for the West and South-West zones. Phase Two opens registration for all Leagues/Academies/clubs and their members which have not pre-registered, and begins on January 25. Phase three follows on February 8, and is open to all individual members ‘not otherwise registered at any of the above phases.’
Membership for 2021 will cost $10 per verified individual member for a ‘Basic’ package, and will be good through December 31, 2021. Benefits for members include the ability to vote in the upcoming USAC Board Director elections, access to the web-based and mobile app-enabled membership portal, general liability and Secondary Sports Accident Insurance, eligibility to participate in USAC organized events, discounted rates on USAC merchandise, ‘role-specific tools’ for umpires, coaches and volunteers, and more.
The membership portal itself will include live scoring for leagues, clubs and teams, track player stats and analytics, centralise communications from and within relevant leagues, and broadcast updates and newsletters from USAC.
The news comes after USAC passed a referendum temporarily amending the constitution to modify the board director election process. The difficult circumstances of the 2020 season were cited as a justification for the resolution. In today’s announcement, USAC CEO Iain Higgins further acknowledged the residual challenges from a year lost for many, explaining ‘the ‘Introductory’ membership package and cost structure for 2021 reflects USA Cricket’s desire to be sympathetic to the financial and logistical challenges faced by cricket communities across the country during 2020 as well as the need to be as inclusive as possible at an important time.’
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From what I can see, no one can become a member unless
they belong to a club.