This evening, an article has been published on the Guardian Sport’s website, by freelance journalist, Matt Hughes, in which he draws attention to Middlesex Cricket’s recent members’ private online forum, concerning the panel’s response to a question raised around the diversity of the forum panel.
The Club feels strongly that this article is misrepresentative of the facts, distorts the context of what was said, and has been deliberately sensationalist in its choice of headline. We are disappointed that the Guardian, a title that prides itself on the quality of its cricket journalism, would elect to publish an article that is so blatantly misleading in its substance and in its grasp of the facts.
In response to the Guardian article, the Club issues the following statement.
For reference, the forum panel was made up of the Club’s Chair, Richard Sykes, Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cornish, and Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, who, in response to the question that was raised, explained that the forum panel was in no way representative of the Club’s Board as a whole and that the three individuals had been selected to sit on the panel purely because of their suitability in discussing the topics on the forum agenda.
The panel also stated that that other representatives of the Middlesex Board have sat on previous members’ forum panels, when their respective areas of expertise were on the agenda for discussion.
Further explanation was given on the Club’s focus on ensuring that the ED&I agenda remained at the forefront of our decision making, that ensuring we were governed and run by a leadership group that was diverse in both gender and ethnicity remained a priority, and that ED&I was a constant agenda item of all Middlesex Board meetings.
They also stated that the make-up of the Club’s Board currently met all the expectations of the England and Wales Cricket Board in terms of its diversity requirements, and that the Board of the Club’s Foundation, Middlesex in The Community, mirrored that.
Furthermore, they explained that a huge amount of work is being done by the Club to broaden the diversity of its membership and playing groups, which both remain key objectives for the Club moving forward.
The Club’s ED&I strategy clearly outlines Middlesex’s ambitions in this area, with measurable targets in place to ensure this remains a focus. This strategy can be viewed here.
The Club remains firmly committed to working with the England and Wales Cricket Board in meeting all its ED&I obligations, and categorically refutes any suggestion otherwise.
Middlesex’s ambition is to break down barriers, increase our representation and foster a culture of belonging and fairness at every level of our organisation. Work continues to create pathways for underrepresented groups, to create initiatives that promote inclusivity, and we will hold ourselves accountable for our progress. All at the Club remain unwavering in our dedication to meeting these objectives.
The article in the Guardian chooses to distort many of the above facts and is in no way helpful to the Club or Cricket achieving its ED&I ambitions, in fact, it goes a long way to eroding the amazing work we continue to do as a Club as we look to provide a truly inclusive environment for everyone.
It is also most disappointing that the content of a private forum, held for the benefit of the Club’s members, is being shared externally with parties that are intent on doing harm to the Club’s reputation by passing member privileged information into the hands of the press. This is not the first time that this has happened and an agenda to damage the club’s reputation by certain individuals remains very much in evidence. It is saddening that the Guardian have chosen to amplify their narrative.
As a Club we are immensely proud of what we have achieved over the past few years and continue to achieve but are frankly saddened by those, for whatever their motives are, who want to undermine our achievements.
For the record, this matter has not been brought to the Club’s attention by any of its members.
Middlesex Cricket will be making no further comment.
