North West Cricket gets its third CEO of the year
POTCHEFSTROOM — North West Cricket has appointed Tsholofelo Thulare as its new permanent chief executive, making him the third person to occupy the organisation’s CEO chair this year after a period of leadership changes ahead of the new domestic cricket season.
Thulare takes over from Tommy Phiri, who served as acting CEO from April until the end of September following the suspension of former chief executive Ismail Minty earlier this year.
The appointment puts Thulare in charge of the provincial cricket body responsible for the North West Dragons and cricket development across the province. Cricket South Africa lists North West Cricket among its provincial affiliates, with the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom serving as its CSA-accredited venue.
Unlike many senior cricket administrators, Thulare arrives with a professional background extending well beyond the sport.
According to North West Cricket, he has more than 15 years of experience across development finance, governance, programme management and stakeholder engagement, with experience spanning national government, development finance institutions and the non-governmental sector. He holds a Master of Commerce in Development Finance.
The union said his appointment followed a lengthy recruitment process and comes as it attempts to build a more sustainable organisation while expanding opportunities for players, coaches, officials, schools, clubs and communities.
That makes the appointment about more than who occupies the CEO’s office.
North West Cricket enters the new leadership period with ambitions stretching from its professional Dragons teams to grassroots development. Cricket South Africa describes the men’s Dragons as an ambitious domestic side based in Potchefstroom, although the team endured mixed results during the 2024/25 season.
The province is also part of a wider CSA development programme that has been expanding cricket beyond established schools and clubs. A partnership involving CSA, Glencore and the National Youth Development Agency has extended training opportunities into North West communities, including a programme for 200 young people at the Berseba Multi-purpose Facility covering coaching, umpiring, scoring and cricket administration.
North West Cricket said its priorities under the new leadership would include growing the game from grassroots level, strengthening cricket structures and creating greater opportunities for talent while improving relationships with communities and strategic partners.
Thulare’s immediate challenge will be providing stability after an unusual year in which three people have occupied the CEO position.
His appointment also gives North West Cricket a permanent executive at a point when the organisation is moving into another full domestic season and attempting to translate its development structures into stronger performances and a sustainable provincial cricket system.
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