The Board of the Western Australian Cricket Association has approved the appointment of two Non-Executive Directors to further enhance the Board’s skills and capabilities.

George Jones AM and Stephen Hauville will join the existing ten members of the Board, which was reduced in size from 15 after WACA Members approved a resolution in August 2012 to modernise the governance of cricket in Western Australia.

Mr Jones has more than 35 years of experience in the mining, banking and finance industries and has been a Director of a number of private and publicly-listed companies, including Australian iron ore producer Gindalbie Metals and Sundance Resources.

He was instrumental in overseeing the growth of Portman Mining Limited over the course of a decade, taking it from a start-up iron ore producer in the early 1990s to a 6Mtpa producer of direct shipping hematite ore, with a market capitalisation of over $600 million in 2005. Mr Jones has a Bachelor of Business degree from Curtin University of Western Australia.

The philanthropic Mr Jones has also opened the George Jones Child Advocacy Centre and is currently serving as a member of the Parkerville Children’s Home Board. He was instrumental in securing funds for the George Jones Child Advocacy Centre, and has raised more than $16 million for the Ear Science Institute of Australia, a world-class medical research and clinical facility to treat hearing loss, balance disorders and ear disease.

He has also played District cricket in Perth and Adelaide as well as being a Member of the WACA and the Dennis Lillee Club.

Mr Jones said: "I am excited and feel privileged to be appointed to the Board of the WACA. The WACA Ground is the spiritual home of cricket and it was an honour to play there when I was with West Perth in the 1960s.

"I think cricket in Western Australia has a great future. I am looking forward to being part of it and think I can make a contribution on the business side to the development of the WACA.”

Mr Hauville brings a background in retail to the WACA Board. He opened a small business in the New South Wales country town of Lismore in 1982 which was subsequently acquired by Harvey Norman in 1993. He moved west in 1997 to help establish Harvey Norman in Perth.

Mr Hauville assisted Harvey Norman to successfully acquire the Charlie Carter group from Wesfarmers in 1998 and the Vox Group in 1999. He also negotiated the acquisition of the City West complex and the construction of Harvey Norman stores across WA.

In 2000 Mr Hauville joined the Board of Harvey Norman as an Executive Director responsible for the Electrical division and, along with Gerry Harvey, the Property division. The role saw him responsible for the global expansion of he Harvey Norman group. He was also Chairman of the NFP Duke of Edinburgh Award WA from 2007 until September 2012, which included Board membership.

He had a lengthy club cricket career in New South Wales and has attended two ICC Cricket World Cups and the past two Ashes Tests at Lords.

Mr Hauville said: "I am very honoured to be appointed to the Board of an organisation that is revered by West Australians. I look forward to working with the other members of the Board to help the WACA grow and ensure that the great game is healthy across all areas, from Warriors and Fury to school and junior cricket.

"I’ve had a life of experience with retail and marketing. I like winning and I respect the work that people put in to be successful. I think the WACA has a very talented Board and I will be aiming to provide the value that they expect from me.”

WACA Chairman David Williams said: "The WACA was delighted with the quality of the applicants for the two directorships available on the Board. The standard was such that a number would have been welcome additions.

"The two candidates chosen had sets of skills which the Board felt best complimented the existing members.

"George Jones is a leader in the Perth business and philanthropic communities and has already provided great assistance to the WACA through the Perth Scorchers along with the Redevelopment Committee.

"Steve Hauville brings a great deal of retail experience and property knowledge with the Harvey Norman conglomerate.

"Both men, as with many of the other candidates, combined a wealth of business knowledge with community service.

"The WACA hopes that other candidates will look to join the Board in the future as opportunities are presented.”

Following the reduction in size of the WACA Board from 15 to 12 Members, the Board comprises six Member-elected representatives (down from nine), two representatives from the WA District Cricket Council (down from three), two from the Statewide Game Development Committee (down from three), and two Non-Executive Directors.