Our Board

Chair since 2021

Committee Member since 2019

Katie is deaf and plays for the Oxford Women’s team. Since joining the Committee, Katie has taken the lead on the development of Women & Girls deaf cricket.

Secretary since November 2024

Dave Farebrother brings a wealth of experience in leadership, sustainability, and community engagement to his role as Trustee. With over three decades of professional experience in environmental and energy management, he has made a significant impact in advancing sustainability across multiple industries.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dave has an enduring passion for cricket and grassroots sports. As a lifelong cricket enthusiast, he has served as Secretary and Captain of East Cheam Occasionals CC and is currently Fixture Secretary for Mynthurst CC. His dedication to cricket reflects his commitment to fostering community spirit and inclusivity in sport.

Dave is also a long-standing volunteer with Sutton United Football Club, where he has served in various leadership roles for over 37 years. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, he oversaw the club’s promotion to the Football League, the development of a thriving disability football program, and the establishment of an independent charitable foundation. In his current role as Sustainability Lead, he has implemented environmental and energy management systems aligned with ISO standards, driving the club’s commitment to sustainability.

His dedication to sustainability and cricket makes him a valuable advocate for community-focused initiatives and the development of the sport at all levels.

Treasurer since 2006, Committee Member since 2006

As well as being Treasurer, Simon also acted as Fixture Secretary from 2006 to 2012. As ECAD, Fixture Secretary, he was involved in organising various events for including an ECAD v Pakistan Deaf team tournament held in Essex and Kent in 2006. More recently, he has been involved in organising fixtures for North ECAD, Midlands ECAD and South ECAD,  

Simon is a passionate cricket player who played for Romford Deaf CC from 1985 to 1995 then played (as well as acting as treasurer) for West London Deaf CC (WLDCC) from 1996 to 2014, as well as deaf regional cricket for GLDCC and SDCA. Simon also featured for a number of local hearing clubs from 1995 to 2020 , including West Essex CC, South Woodford CC, Gidea Park CC, Buckhurst Hill CC and Epping CC. Simon continues to turn out for various teams including Graces CC, Middlesex Disability and ECAD South.

Simon joined the British Deaf Sport Council (BDSC) in 1986. He has been selected to play international deaf cricket on a number of occasions including the Ashes tour in 1991 (for which he was unfortunately injured), the 1994 Ashes in England and the 2004 Ashes tour. Simon also played in the 2005 Deaf World Cup in Lucknow, India in which the England team finished runners-up. Despite retiring from International cricket after the 2005 Deaf World Cup, he has continued his involvement in the international set-up by helping with the ECAD Lions team which is part of the pathway for young players to play for the senior mens England deaf team.  

Committee member since 2002.

Mike set up ECAD in 2002 and was its first Chair until 2007. He returned as Chair for ECAD for a short period to support its move to charitable status.

He has played in both domestic and international Deaf cricket since 1994 including two World Cup finals in Australia (1996) and India (2005) and played on home soil against Pakistan (2006) and Australia (2008). He retired from International Cricket after the Deaf Ashes win in Australia in 2022. He is currently captain of the Surrey Pan Disability First Team for the 2023 season and selected to play in the National Disability Premier League for the Hawks (one of four franchise teams) in 2023.

Mike is extremely passionate about Deaf Cricket, having experienced the transition from playing mainstream to Deaf cricket and seeks to give every cricketer who is deaf, the very best opportunities to play cricket to the best of their ability.  This should not be left to chance as there are many who can reap the benefits and enjoyment of playing deaf cricket with people who face similar challenges on and off the pitch whether they are oral with Cochlear Implants, wear hearing aids and lip read skilfully or rely on sign language. 

Committee Member since 2005

Stefan is the current Chair of Deaf International Cricket Council and has previously served as Chair of ECAD.  

Stefan played in both domestic and international deaf cricket including tours to Australia (2004), World Cup in India (2005), Australia (2011) and at home against Pakistan (2006) and Australia (2008).

Having experienced the transition from mainstream to deaf cricket, Stefan is passionate about deaf cricket both in this country and abroad. Stefan has relished the culture, identity, team environment, competitive cricket and peer support that deaf cricket has given him and wants to make sure that as many other adults and children have the opportunity to do likewise.

Stefan has recently completed a postgraduate Sports Business, Management and Policy course.

Committee Member since 2019

Stuart is deaf and is a qualified Teacher of the Deaf  and a former PE teacher. Stuart is an Honorary Vice-President of UK Deaf Sport (having formerly been its Vice Chair). He runs a consultancy providing, among other things, training for deaf and hearing sports coaches, administrators and volunteers.

Stuart’s role on the Committee includes advising ECAD on its relations with ECB, UKDS and ICSD, and on development.