Associates set for big funding boost

Much has been written about funds flooding into the game when the ICC's new media deal begins in 2009, but what has been largely overlooked is that the Affiliates and Associates stand to make substantial gains.

Under the existing ICC constitution, the 33 Associates get 25% of the ICC distributions while the ten Full Members share 75%. On top of this, to further service the developing cricket world, US$13 million is assigned to the ICC Development Program from the ICC Champions Trophy every two years. Half of this goes to the Asia region and the remainder is assigned to central/staffing costs, the High Performance Program and the other four Regional Development Programs.

This will change from January 1 when the ICC Champions Trophy allocation is scrapped and instead 6% of the ICC's media and sponsorship income is taken off the top and assigned to development purposes.

At the moment, Asia receives US$3.25 million pa, Africa US$760,000, Americas US$735,000, EAP US$470,000 and Europe US$970,000; after January 1 the split will be more like Asia US$5-6 million, Africa US$1.5-2 million, Americas US$1.5-2 million, EAP US$900k-1.4 million and Europe US$2-2.5 million.

At present all Associates receive a base allocation of US$90,000 plus indirect funding ranging from US$50,000 to US$ 100,000, depending on their participation in events and which approved projects they have on the go.

Affiliates funding ranges from US$20,000 to US$50,000, depending on timing of regional events and ongoing projects. Some receive much less, others ,who are almost non operational, get nothing.

On top of this, Associates and Affiliates who take part in the global divisions of the World Cricket League also have their flights, accommodation and most at-event costs for these covered, as well as receiving an annual US$20,000 per annum national team development grant.

From January 1, the base sums are set to increase significantly to US$160,000 for Associates, who will also receive a new capital and development grant of between US$100,000 and US$250,000. There will also be regional grants available. Affiliates will now receive a base administration grant of US$15,000 plus a new capital and development grant of up to US$75,000 per annum each.

The World Cup also provides income. The six Associates who took part in the 2007 event receive US$50,000 to US$60,000 in High Performance funding and US$125,000 a year for four years as a World Cup participation grant, The participants in the ICC Intercontinental Cup also get most transport and accommodation costs paid. Four other countries - Argentina, Denmark, Namibia and Uganda, who make up the others in the top 10 excluding Asian countries - currently receive about US$15,000 to US$30,000 each.

From January 1, High Performance Programme (HPP) grants rise to US$500,000 for each of the top ten non-Test nationals, regardless of whether they are Associates or Affiliates. The ICC plans that the four who make it through to the 2011 World Cup will get an extra US$250,000 a year between 2009 and 2012 to assist in their preparations. The sides who finish fifth and sixth, and so just miss out on a World Cup place, will still receive ODI status for a four-year period and will get US$150,000.

It is not quite a free-for-all. The ICC stresses that "good business practice planning, budgeting and operational and financial reporting" will still be required. Countries also need to be in compliance with all membership guidelines and HPP nations currently need to have a national coach and chief executive in place.

On top of this, there are additional incentives for qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 (US$250,000), and reaching the Women's World Cup, the ICC World Cup Qualifier (formerly the ICC Trophy), the ICC World Cricket League Division One and the Under-19 World Cup will each be worth US$25,000. Any Associate who hosts one of these events will also be paid US$100,000, while any Associate/Affiliate which hosts a World Cricket League global division event will receive US$20,000.

From 2009, a Development Special Projects pool of about US$2million, or maybe more, will be set aside on an annual basis. The ICC will devise and consider best use of this on a case-by-case basis. These could possibly be global, regional or individual country endeavours. This will also be useful if events/competitions expand in the period up to 2015.