FORMER NSW police assistant commissioner Peter Parsons has been appointed by Cricket NSW to head a wide-ranging investigation into the troubled Newcastle City and Suburban Cricket Association (NCSCA).
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Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon announced on Thursday afternoon that the former top cop would examine the association's administration and finances.
The Newcastle Herald revealed in December last year that Newcastle's largest senior cricket competition, that celebrates its centenary this season, was in crisis following allegations of bullying, financial mismanagement and lack of transparency.
A bitter internal free-for all erupted over the social cricket competition's financials, resulting in four board members - part of the faction pushing for change - being summonsed to appear before the judiciary, for administrative deeds, and being handed lengthy bans from the game and sacked from the board.
A review of the suspensions handed to Dan Saunders, Andrew Kelly, Roy Capitao and Grant Hutchings, conducted by Newcastle Cricket Zone in May, set the sanctions aside, but the NCSCA has refused to recognise the findings.
Newcastle Cricket Zone found the men were inappropriately charged for alleged administrative deeds under the competition rule book.
It also found the NCSCA judiciary did not have the power to suspend board members, the men were not provided with all the evidence against them and were asked to prove why they were "not guilty of the charges".
"This statement prior to the hearing of evidence from witnesses could be interpreted as assuming the guilt of the accused," the Newcastle Cricket Zone decision read.
"This deprives an accused person from answering charges and rather reverses the onus of proof requiring an accused person to prove their innocence when they are unaware of the evidence that may exist in the matter."
It's understood zone cricket administrator Alan Nichols wrote to Cricket NSW earlier this year outlining his concerns about how the suspensions were handled.
Mr Germon confirmed the Parsons' investigation would look at the conduct of "individuals which led to judiciary hearings held by NCSCA and suspensions".
Mr Parsons will also investigate the suspension process and subsequent appeals, looking at adherence to "constitutions, procedural fairness and natural justice".
Mr Germon said Cricket NSW had the power to intervene and ability to "censure, fine, suspend, disqualify or otherwise deal with any affiliate".
"Mr Parsons will report his findings and recommendations to Cricket NSW," he said. "Cricket NSW will make no further comment until the inquiry is concluded."
The four former NCSCA board members at the centre of the controversy said they were unable to comment until the investigation had been completed.
NCSCA president Phil Northey, who has repeatedly said the association has nothing to hide, also declined to comment.
Mr Parsons retired from the police force in 2010 after 36 years of service.
He was the first Northern Region police commander and headed the region's emergency response to the Pasha Bulker storms in 2007.
An ongoing shoulder injury sustained while making an arrest while off duty in Port Macquarie caused him to hang up his badge.
Mr Parsons received the distinguished Australia Police Medal in 2004.
Disaffected NCSCA clubs have defected to the new Suburban Districts social cricket competition established by Newcastle District Cricket Association this year.
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