Reflecting on her first nine months as the leader of Cricket Scotland, Trudy Lindblade finds herself in a contemplative state.
The CEO, an Australian deeply passionate about cricket, has encountered a tumultuous journey since taking the reins of the troubled organization earlier this year.
While some might have chosen to walk away, overwhelmed by the prospect of transforming Scottish cricket into a more vibrant and inclusive environment, Lindblade possesses an unwavering determination that prevails.
Cricket Scotland, labeled as institutionally racist by the Changing the Boundaries Report in 2022, has faced a barrage of criticism surrounding allegations of discrimination, sexism, and racism.
Trudy Lindblade has been in her role for just nine months and admits it has been ‘challenging’
The governing body is currently striving to reconstruct itself by introducing a novel strategy aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment, prioritizing equality, women’s cricket, sporting achievement, and trust.
For Lindblade, the focus is firmly on the future — cultivating a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels part of the transformative process. This is no small feat, especially in light of past issues.
The independent review published two years ago, which examined institutional racism, uncovered 448 instances of racism and discrimination within Scottish cricket. Currently, five cases have moved to disciplinary action.
Simultaneously, the McKinney report, which was commissioned by Cricket Scotland, revealed the existence of prejudice and sexism in the women’s game.
More recently, further allegations of discrimination have come to light, with former Scotland cricketer Hamza Tahir filing a grievance against the organization and deciding to withdraw from the international process after his contract was not renewed.
Lindblade is acutely aware of the challenges the organization has faced, alongside the personal toll it has taken.
“It has certainly been a struggle at times,” she acknowledged. “Before taking on this role, I was well aware of the media coverage, but that only tells part of the story. I had to consider what this role truly means. Am I the right person to lead Cricket Scotland in these troubled times?”
Lindblade meets players at Nairn County Cricket Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations
Lindblade insists that community cricket and players are the lifeblood of the sport
It was estimated in 2017 that around 17,000 people play cricket recreationally in Scotland
“Nonetheless, I have faced challenges before, and I possess a strong belief in what we can achieve. I see vast opportunities for both Cricket Scotland and Scottish cricket that we need to harness. We require the right information to support these efforts. I was aware of the challenges ahead; however, they have proven to be even greater than I had initially anticipated.
“The initial six months brought numerous difficulties, but I focus on the potential that lies ahead and find inspiration in those around me.
“Our resilient community of Scottish cricket clubs continues to thrive over the summer.
“The people energize me, and there are many wonderful individuals involved in Scottish cricket. This is why I am particularly excited about our new strategy, as it aims to unite our communities. Our clubs and communities are the foundation of our sport. Without them, we cannot produce both our current heroes and the next generation of stars. This is crucial.”
Scotland women players celebrate a wicket against Ireland during a T20 World Cup qualifier
Brandon McMullen hails a fine half-century during Scotland’s fine display against Australia
As the former CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, Lindblade is evidently on a mission to advance the sport in a more progressive fashion. She is adamant that walking away is not part of her character.
“I’m not one to give up easily,” Lindblade affirmed. “A previous colleague even called me stubborn, which has made me reflect on that observation.
“This journey has been tough, but my vision is for the success of Scottish cricket. I believe it’s achievable, as all the components are present. Now, we simply need to align everyone toward a shared vision, which is the most challenging aspect.
“Having gone through such trying periods, the significance of this cannot be overlooked. But just look at the achievements on the field; the women are set to qualify for their first-ever World Cup later this year in Bangladesh. Recently, there were also remarkable performances with Michael English scoring a century and Charlie Cassell taking 7-21. These are inspiring moments that we often fail to emphasize due to our limited resources.
“There are numerous outstanding stories at the club level, with young girls and boys picking up a bat or ball for the first time, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, and through partnerships with charitable organizations like the Lord’s Taverners and Beyond Boundaries.”
Success both on and off the field is indeed a vital aspect. The new strategy will place increased focus on integrating more women and girls into the sport.
“Women and girls will be a priority for us,” Lindblade confirmed. “This isn’t solely about producing the next elite players; it encompasses the entire spectrum of women’s and girls’ cricket.
Katherine Fraser and Abatha Maqsood celebrate after the Scots qualified for the World Cup
“We are looking to enhance participation from volunteering to officiating to coaching, ensuring women and girls are inspired and provided with pathways to engage at any level they desire.
“We will continue to build on our efforts from recent years to establish equality, diversity, and inclusion as core principles in everything we do, viewing all our activities through that lens.
“Expect to see this reflected in our organizational strategy, with a distinct EDI (equality, diversity, and inclusion) strategy and action plan to be unveiled shortly.
“Additionally, we must ensure that our on-field performance translates into lasting success. It’s crucial that we establish practices for sustainable achievement.
“This approach will enable us to consistently compete on a global scale, vying for World Cup titles for both men and women. We have learned valuable lessons and must improve our effectiveness as a governing body.”
