Long serving Auckland Cricket CEO Iain Laxon has announced that he will resign at the end of the current season.

Laxon has been CEO since 2017 and been with the organization since 2004.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Auckland Cricket and loved the opportunity to get to know so many fantastic people. It has been a privilege to lead such a great organization and to share in the successes that we have collectively been able to achieve.”

Laxon will leave the association in a positive state with the Aces recently crowned Super Smash champions, and with an array of young talent coming through in both the Hearts and Aces camps.

Laxon reflected that he had seen a huge level of change in his time and especially in recent years in the CEO role.

“I think navigating our way successfully through Covid and the additional pressures that brought for an Auckland environment, especially for our clubs, was a real achievement. The increased investment into the women’s game is one of the most exciting things to happen in recent times and I think has started a really positive change process.”

Laxon started his career at Auckland Cricket in the club cricket space and he highlighted the ongoing importance of this relationship.

“I’m really proud of the positive and collaborative relationship that we have with our club network. They are the foundation of our game and in recent times we have managed to develop our support to evolve with the modern cricketing landscape and create a real partnership approach to ensure the game remains strong.”

Reflecting on his time in the role Laxon was excited about the way cricket had evolved in the city.

“Taking our game to new communities and giving kids the chance to be involved is really exciting and that approach has been epitomised by our BatFirst programme that aims to put a bat in the hand of every Year 3 child in a Decile 1-5 school.

Likewise, giving our talented players the opportunity to develop and realise their cricketing goals is one of our core roles so the significant amount of work we have done to improve our Academy and talent development programme in recent times has been really satisfying to see.”

Laxon also expressed confidence in the ability of Auckland Cricket to enjoy ongoing success.   

“I know that a CEO is just a temporary guardian of the Association and its achievements. I sincerely hope that I have added to the wonderful legacy of Auckland Cricket and am very confident that we have the people involved to continue on with the great work that is already being done.”   

ACA Chair Brendon Gibson has recognised Laxon's important contribution to ACA on behalf of the Auckland Cricket Board.

“Iain's service to ACA over these past two decades has been significant, culminating in his successful tenure as CEO since 2017. The Board thanks Iain for his contribution and wishes him all the best for his future endeavours.

The Board has commenced a process to recruit and appoint a new CEO and looks forward to communicating the outcome of this process to the cricketing community in due course.”

Laxon’s last day with the organization will be April 12th.

Article added: Monday 04 March 2024