PROFILE
CONTENTS
Dr Jacques Faul, interim CEO of Cricket South Africa, says he has always been fond of cricket.
“I enjoy the contest between bat and ball and the balance between skill and an element of luck. It is unscripted entertainment – I love the uncertainty of the outcome.”
Up to the task
Steadying Cricket SA's ship in stormy seas, is no easy task.
However, Conrad de Swardt, NWU cricket manager who worked closely with Jacques during his stint at North West Cricket, believes the man is more than up to the task.
“While he was at North West Cricket, Jacques left the province in a strong, healthy financial position. He has also brought international teams and cricket camps to the province.”
“He sets an example to follow and is an all-round good guy.”
“With his qualifications and his background in sports administration and sport law, there isn’t a better candidate to lift Cricket South Africa out of its current predicament,” says Conrad.
Alumnus is steering Cricket SA to calmer waters
Alumnus Dr Jacques Faul has cricket coursing through his veins. His passion for the game, along with his business acumen, has seen this sports administrator reach the highest echelons of the gentleman’s game in this country.
Jacques looks on while Tebogo Siko, president of the Northerns Cricket Union, hands the Player of the Match trophy to Quinton de Kock after South Africa came out on top in the 2019 Boxing Day Test match against England at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Jacques, the former CEO of North West Cricket and the Titans, was named interim CEO of Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2019 – a position that will surely test the mettle of this workhorse.
“I did my first stint as national CEO in 2012 and was humbled when I got the opportunity to lead again.”
Navigating troubled waters
Jacques was called to steady CSA’s ship through the most troubled waters it has faced since readmission to the international scene in 1992.
Results have been underwhelming and the organisation’s finances are in disarray. On top of that, management structures have been overhauled, Faf du Plessis has stepped down as captain and there is an ongoing dispute between the players and CSA.
“We do indeed have some challenges and need to restore the credibility of CSA, but hopefully we can improve things,” says Jacques.
A PhD as compass
It is not only Jacques’ cricket experience that will help him to steer the CSA ship to calmer waters.
He says the PhD he obtained from the NWU in 2017 was about stakeholder management and mega events, which are very relevant to his job.
“On a strategic level the skills that I obtained in research methodology and the application of quantitative methods also come in very handy.”
With his vast experience in cricket management, it is clear that Jacques will not allow stormy waters to bowl him over. His message for South Africa’s cricket fans is that things will improve.
“Thank you for supporting us – we will do our best to make you proud.”
The NWU & U
Please send us your comments, suggestions and any other contributions you would like to make, for instance photographs or news snippets.
We value your opinions and input – after all, the NWU & U belongs to us all.
Navigation
>
<
Next Article
previous article
sound
video
more info
click
Share
The Gauteng-based Faul family on their way to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup final on television with friends.
Jacques is a devoted family man. “Family makes me happy,” he says. He is married to Elvira and the couple has a son, Jacques, who is now nine years old. Here they are on a sight-seeing tour in Dublin, Ireland, in June 2019.
<
>
