Professor Colleen Hayward AM has concluded her role as co-chair of the WA Aboriginal Cricket and Cultural Advisory Committee.
Her resignation ends a nine-year tenure as a member of the WA Aboriginal Cricket and Cultural Advisory Committee (WAACCAC), which was established as the WA Aboriginal Cricket Advisory Committee in 2015.
WA Cricket says through her role, Professor Hayward has made an "incredible contribution" to WA Cricket and the cricketing community with WACA Chair, Avril Fahey paying tribute to Professor Hayward's contribution following her resignation.
"Professor Colleen Hayward AM has provided inspiring leadership and a moral compass for WA Cricket as we work to make ours a sport for all," Ms Fahey said.
"Professor Hayward is a champion of her community and culture, always pushing for fairer and more equitable outcomes for Aboriginal people, and we are grateful for her dedication.
The governing body for cricket in Australia's west said throughout her nine-year tenure, Professor Hayward provided extensive and valuable advice and guidance on engagement with Aboriginal people and communities, and consideration of Aboriginal culture and heritage within all programs and initiatives delivered by WA Cricket.
"The WACA Board thanks Professor Hayward for her valuable contribution to the WA Aboriginal Cricket & Cultural Advisory Committee and WA Cricket at large, and wishes her well in her future endeavours," Ms Fahey said.
WA Cricket said Professor Hayward made an impact through her leadership and advocacy for Aboriginal reconciliation, helping to educate WA Cricket staff and players through genuine and meaningful discussions.
She played a key role in the development of WA Cricket's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which the organisation says was a "crucial step" in WA Cricket's commitment to reconciliation across the organisation and community.
As WAACCAC co-chair, she also sat on Cricket Australia's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, representing the interests of WA Aboriginal cricket and communities.
Professor Hayward said she saw her resignation as "an opportunity for others to step up to continue the important work towards creating a more inclusive sport".
"I have truly loved my involvement with WA Cricket through the WA Aboriginal Cricket & Cultural Advisory Committee, where I have had the pleasure to meet and work with so many fantastic people in the staff and playing group," Professor Hayward said.
"The culture at WA Cricket is exceptional, and it has been a pleasure to be associated with an organisation always looking toward and implementing improvements in the equity and diversity space."
Current WAACCAC deputy chair Steven Goodall has been appointed interim co-chair alongside WACA Board Chair Avril Fahey, with a permanent co-chair to be selected in due course.
