Marc Archer, a former cricketer and qualified coach turned sports management and marketing professional, has been appointed as the General Manager of the first ever ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai to help drive the work of the Academy as it develops the sport at a local, national, regional and international level. The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be a centre of excellence for world cricket.

Cricket is one of the key sports for Dubai Sports City, the cornerstone of the Dubailand project, and the ICC Global Cricket Academy will provide an important global focal point for administrators, curators, umpires, coaches and players.

In his new role as General Manager of the ICC GCA, Archer will be responsible for all aspects of the facility operations and the commercial development of the Academy. He will work alongside Director of Coaching, Rod Marsh, who will concentrate on developing the coaching and training infrastructure for players at all levels.

“The appointment of Marc Archer demonstrates the calibre of international talent that Dubai Sports City’s major facilities are attracting and underlines the high standard of support and coaching that the academies will provide. Dubai Sports City is proud to be associated with this project through its investment,” said Maqbul Dudhia, General Manager, Sports Business, Dubai Sports City.

Archer grew up in his native New Zealand playing cricket with the likes of Stephen Fleming, Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, and Craig McMillan. After an injury disrupted his playing career, Archer concentrated on developing his coaching qualifications and experience internationally in countries like Australia, England, Ireland and South Africa. He also is a playing member of the MCC and has toured and coached abroad with MCC sides.

In the last decade, Archer has been building a successful career in the sports industry, gaining international commercial experience in sports marketing and management, sponsorship, branding, events, and sports technology. For the last three years he has been based in the United States working closely with American Football and the National Football League (NFL).

Archer has worked closely with individual athletes in a sports management and client sponsorship capacity, including former South African cricket great Allan Donald, England’s Graeme Hick, international rugby players Mike Catt, Francois Pienaar and Ieuan Evans, and also assisted with commercial arrangements for many PGA Tour golfers.

Commenting on Mr Archer’s appointment, ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: “Marc has joined following an extensive global recruitment process and we are delighted to have secured the services of such a high-quality person as General Manager of the ICC Global Cricket Academy. Marc ticks all the right boxes as far as this position is concerned as he combines a background in cricket playing and coaching together with significant experience in sports management and the business of sport.”

“He brings a love of the game together with terrific enthusiasm to the role and those factors, allied with his obvious skills, mean we are confident he will work well with Head Coach Rodney Marsh as the dream of the ICC Global Cricket Academy becomes a reality.”

For Archer this represents a fantastic opportunity. “I am delighted to be involved in this amazing sports project, a strategic partnership between Dubai Sports City and the ICC. The ICC Global Cricket Academy will be a fantastic facility for world cricket, a true centre of excellence,” he said. “Currently I am working hard to ensure that the facilities are completed on time to the highest possible standard.”