The first term of the North West's “Think Tank” programme is now complete and despite a few minor issues to be resolved this winter there is little doubt that most would view progress to date as beyond expectation. It is of course a two-year induction plan and while the second phase will end with next season's re-structured league format and Inter-Provincial series, there is much activity ongoing at present.
On Thursday night this week the Union will hold the first of two General Meetings (the second one will be in February 2013), this format replacing the old single AGM. The thinking behind that was that by having two meetings the Union could deal with the essential issues first and then give the various committees reasonable time to get the rest of their business done ahead of the second.
The main business this week then will be to elect the officers/ committees who will take the good work already done forward in 2013 and one notable change will be the appointment of a new President after Joe Doherty announced this week that he would be stepping down from that role.
Joe has been at the head of the North West Union for five and a half years (this time) and I remember clearly his very mixed emotions about taking over again following the sudden death of his good friend Bob Kerr. Now though he has no doubt that the time is right to start to usher in a new era and Joe is looking forward to playing a slightly different role as part of that process.
The outgoing President was convinced that the people charged with carrying on the work were on course as he discussed his decision this week - “Yes the first year of the new structures has been very encouraging given that we have turned some things on their head in terms of governance and communication. My decision to step down has been coming nearer every year since I came back out of 'retirement' on the sad occasion of Bob Kerr's passing in 2007.
The decision has been made easier given that the proposals brought forward as a result of the Think Tank deliberations ensured that with the new modus operandi we have reaped a very rich harvest of new administrative, planning, brainstorming and operational talent - that to me will be seen in hindsight as the most spectacular success of 2011. What I mean by that is that we now have a rich seam of talent at director level (and below) that will serve North West cricket well for a generation - quite a turnaround from what most people agreed was a fairly empty cupboard in the past. To think that we have current players active on the administrative, development and operational side is very encouraging indeed.
In the present conditions therefore, it has not felt like a drastic decision to step down from Presidency. I say this for two reasons - firstly, the confidence in my fellow officers referred to above and secondly the fact that my personal circumstances take me away from the North West and indeed out of Ireland for both business and family reasons. Cricket Ireland is obviously close to my heart as well, having been involved at the top table representing North West for 12 years now and I look forward to continuing to play my part in that role as required.
Going forward there's a big team effort required from the North West now, not least in getting the inter-provincial panel out on the road in an effective and successful way. I agree with those who say that we will need all our experience and goodwill to complement the skills and talent of our emerging players and coaches as the second phase of the process beds in next season. The new Premier League in the North West is another exciting development and the Union has a great opportunity to showcase the sport locally at club level as well”.
Despite his belief that the time is right to hand over the reins to his successor there is bound to be a little emotion on Thursday night at the changing of the guard. While refusing to get involved in who should replace him Joe did agree that it is important that the new President comes with the full backing of the new regime.
He has also alluded to the fact that he will agree to stay on in his role as rep to Cricket Ireland and that has met with the approval of the Board of Control who are keen to preserve a seamless transition during these wholesale changes. For now though Joe Doherty can reflect on a tenure that brought plenty of challenges along the way but safe in the knowledge that the baton is being passed on with cricket locally having made untold advances during his time.