The Australian women's cricket team "will no longer be officially known as the Southern Stars" in a move to "boost gender equality in the game." Like the men, the world No. 1 Australian women "will have no nickname." Cricket Australia Chair David Peever said, "This move may appear symbolic, but it does carry considerable weight." CA expects the Southern Stars moniker "will be used colloquially, but changes will include an official renaming and new logo" (AAP, 6/7).
Adam Gilchrist "has broken ranks with past and present players by supporting Cricket Australia’s pay offer," labeling it fair. The "retired Test great is confident the pay dispute between CA and the Australian Cricketers' Association is on track for a resolution" by the June 30 deadline. Gilchrist "backed players for showing unity, in particular those at the highest level who are concerned the new deal will leave domestic players out of pocket." But he suggested CA's argument that the revenue-sharing agreement takes money away from the grassroots of the game "had merit." Gilchrist: "I think Cricket Australia are offering a very, very fair deal for players" (AAP, 6/6).
Davis Cup singles matches will be reduced to three sets as part of a series of reforms approved by the Int'l Tennis Federation Board of Directors. Davis Cup will retain its three-day format, with doubles matches on the Saturday "still the best-of-five sets, and the dead rubber policy will also be amended." Both Davis Cup and Fed Cup finalists "will have the choice of hosting their first-round tie the following year" (BBC, 6/6).
Sport Ireland will withdraw funding to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association on July 1 unless "certain criteria are met." The ultimatum was issued after "serious concerns" over the governance of IABA were raised over the past number of weeks and "the failure of the governing body to adopt recommendations arising from the report into the Rio Olympics" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 6/7).
