Sloane and Dalton are the new additions to the seven-member board, finalised at the WDCA annual meeting at the Whalers Hotel on Monday night.

They join chairman Nick Frampton, Gordon McLeod, Bruce Membrey, Ray Drew and Tony Brown as executive members.

Sloane was general manager of the WDCA for a season-and-a-half between 2011 and 2013 before stepping away. He returned realising it needed support.

“I guess I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for cricket from my general manager days. I feel like I’ve got something to give back to the association,” he said.

“I know how hard the board works behind the scenes and they’re not always thanked for that. I feel I can contribute and help wherever I can.”

Sloane said he was encouraged by positive steps the board had taken in recent years to promote cricket, most notably the club-led forum in February 2013.

“I think there have been some really good steps by the board, certainly the future forum which South West Sport was involved in,” he said.

“That’s been instrumental in setting some future direction ... the clubs just want to be consulted throughout the process with whatever is happening.

“We’re there to do the best job for the clubs we possibly can.

“Certainly there are some things to be fixed up along the way but if there is no future direction being pushed, things will stall and the game won’t be in a good state.”

Dalton, a Nirranda Cricket Club president for seven years who plays with the Knights’ lower-grade sides, likewise wanted to give something back to the game.

“I’m hoping I can offer cricket in general something,” he said.

“Obviously they need people on the board and fresh ideas and fresh outlooks from people not long out of the game.”

Dalton, whose club was in dispute with the board two seasons ago after having its bid for promotion knocked back, said he wanted to work collaboratively.

“Hopefully I can bring some ideas but I don’t expect myself or someone new coming onto the board to have all the answers.”