Jaap Wals new interim CEO KNCB

The KNCB Board has appointed Jaap Wals as interim CEO of the Royal Netherlands Cricket Board as per 1 February 2018. Among other tasks Wals will manage and reorganise the KNCB Office and extend relations with their stakeholders in the Netherlands.

Jaap Wals is an experienced manager in the Dutch sporting world; ten years as Technical Director at the Royal Netherlands Gymnastic Union, followed by another ten years as General Manager in the same organisation. In the last couple of years Wals was Manager External Relations at the Netherlands Swimming Association.

The KNCB faces an enormous challenge after gaining promotion to the new ICC 13 ODI League, a competition versus the 12 Test countries. The structure and organisation of the KNCB will have to be more futureproof to be able to tackle this challenge in the upcoming years.

KNCB Chairman Betty Timmer is happy with Wals’ appointment: “We think we’ve got the right man in the right place at this very moment. His wide experience in organised sports in the Netherlands means he is especially suited to this interim position. The board feels  that Jaap can improve and enhance the professionalism within the KNCB and get us on the right track for the near future”.

Jaap Wals is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead of him: “The KNCB is at the beginning of an important organisational and sporty development. I’d really like to help the KNCB to reach their goals through, among other things, getting their focus right and enhancing their professionalism. But also to implement their Strategic Plan to fulfil their ambitions and challenges for the future and reach their goals. I look forward to get this done with all concerned, and thus to contribute to the development of the KNCB and the sport of cricket towards the future”.