Prominent Hampshire Seniors left-hand batsman Geoff Beale has been elected Chairman of the National 60/70 Cricket Championship Committee, succeeding Kent's Chris Swadkin in the role.
"Its a testimony to Geoff's integrity and the esteem in which he is held by member counties," said Hampshire Seniors chairman Peter Green.
"It is a great honour for Geoff and reflects well on Hampshire Seniors. We wish him a smooth ride."
A past Southampton University and Waterlooville captain in his regular Southern League playing days, Beale has been a prolific run scorer in Seniors cricket for the past ten years and, after a successful domestic 2015 season, was selected to play for England in the 'Grey Ashes Tests' in Australia.
"I have always played my cricket in Hampshire from school to county colts, then at Southampton University, where I skippered the Wessex side in two UAU cup finals," he recalled.
A [now retired] schoolteacher by profession, Beale went on to captain Waterlooville and, after a break from the game, joined the Hampshire Seniors, whom he captained until recently.
He added: "My cricket was always complemented by coaching, at both school and club level. As well as still playing, I am heavily involved in the administrative side as county representative on the National Management Committee.
"Its going to be a busy year ahead, with the 60s World Cup taking place in Chennai in February, followed by the 70s World Cup in England in July.
"Managing expanding competitions is going to be a challenge. Seniors cricket now spans 33 counties, with over 100 teams and over 3,000 registered players - and growing !
"My main role nationally is managing the main committee and ensuring the sub committees operate in the interests of Seniors cricket."
"Its a testimony to Geoff's integrity and the esteem in which he is held by member counties," said Hampshire Seniors chairman Peter Green.
"It is a great honour for Geoff and reflects well on Hampshire Seniors. We wish him a smooth ride."
A past Southampton University and Waterlooville captain in his regular Southern League playing days, Beale has been a prolific run scorer in Seniors cricket for the past ten years and, after a successful domestic 2015 season, was selected to play for England in the 'Grey Ashes Tests' in Australia.
"I have always played my cricket in Hampshire from school to county colts, then at Southampton University, where I skippered the Wessex side in two UAU cup finals," he recalled.
A [now retired] schoolteacher by profession, Beale went on to captain Waterlooville and, after a break from the game, joined the Hampshire Seniors, whom he captained until recently.
He added: "My cricket was always complemented by coaching, at both school and club level. As well as still playing, I am heavily involved in the administrative side as county representative on the National Management Committee.
"Its going to be a busy year ahead, with the 60s World Cup taking place in Chennai in February, followed by the 70s World Cup in England in July.
"Managing expanding competitions is going to be a challenge. Seniors cricket now spans 33 counties, with over 100 teams and over 3,000 registered players - and growing !
"My main role nationally is managing the main committee and ensuring the sub committees operate in the interests of Seniors cricket."