Worcestershire County Cricket Club (‘WCCC’) has been closely monitoring the Alex Hepburn court case, which concluded with a guilty verdict on 12th April 2019.
WCCC is appalled by the details that have been reported in this case.
The WCCC Board and CEO were first made aware of the arrest and subsequent charge of Mr Hepburn on 10th November 2017; WCCC then took immediate and decisive action.
Our OneClub values outline clear expectations of attitudes and behaviours for all staff at WCCC and everyone involved in Worcestershire cricket.
WCCC continues to work alongside both the ECB and PCA focussing on education, welfare and development programmes for all staff within the game.
Fanos Hira, WCCC Chairman
WCCC BACKGROUND
- On 1st April 2017 Alex Hepburn was arrested and bailed by West Mercia Police.
- On 12th October 2017 WCCC announced that Alex Hepburn had been awarded a one-year contract extension ending on 30th September 2018.
- On 9th November 2017 Alex Hepburn was charged with two counts of rape.
- On 10th November 2017 WCCC’s Board and CEO were first made aware of both the arrest and subsequent charge of two counts of rape. WCCC met with Mr Hepburn and suspended him on full pay, pending further investigation. WCCC immediately informed its governing body, the ECB, who imposed two sanctions: a cricket suspension, which prevented Mr Hepburn from playing first-class cricket, as well as a safeguarding suspension, which prevented Mr Hepburn from playing any form of cricket.
- On 14th November 2017 WCCC began a formal firm wide review. This was carried out by independent Board members.
- In January 2018 WCCC independent Board members carried out an extensive cultural review with one-on-one meetings with all players and staff. A new coaching team was also appointed.
- On 1st March 2018 WCCC appointed a new CEO, Matt Rawnsley, concluding a global search, which began in October 2017.
- The club’s ongoing collective focus has been on investing in the culture of WCCC, which has now evolved into the OneClub philosophy.
- OneClub defines WCCC’s core values (Community, Integrity, Humility, Teamwork and Commitment), and outlines clear expectations of attitudes and behaviours for all who operate within WCCC and in Worcestershire cricket.
- WCCC aims to be a moral beacon for the internal and external community, understanding its role within elite and recreational cricket as well as social, education, business and civic sectors.
- At the end of September 2018 Mr Hepburn’s contract with WCCC expired and was not renewed.
- On 7th January 2019 Mr Hepburn stood trial at Worcester Crown Court. The jury was discharged on 11th January 2019 after failing to reach a verdict.
- On 24th January 2019 the Crown Prosecution Service announced a re-trial scheduled for Worcester Crown Court on 8th April 2019.
- On 12th April 2019 the re-trial at Worcester Crown Court concluded with a guilty verdict.
ENDS
Carrie Lloyd, Head of PR and Communications – Carrie.lloyd@wccc.co.uk 07535 702993
