Canterbury looking to put things right financially

Canterbury Cricket reported a disappointing $NZ96,937 loss during the last financial year, $NZ42,706 worse than the previous year. The situation was compounded when an investigation revealed that income believed due of $80,345 was unrecoverable.

David Shackleton, the chairman of the Canterbury board, commented: "Very late in the financial year the board became aware that some financial information presented to it on a regular basis was inaccurate. A thorough investigation occurred and a report was commissioned seeking an external review of the Association's financial position and systems.

"This report highlighted that there were significant accounting errors in the presentation of reports to the board. This meant that the breakeven position that the board had been advised would occur in the year ended May 31, 2003 was subsequently determined to be a loss of $NZ96,937," he said.

Part of Canterbury's accounting processes will now be handled by New Zealand Cricket which would allow for more reliable information to be presented to the board each month. Shackleton did say that since the balance date, the financial position of the association had improved substantially.

The Jade Stadium connection is still troubling Canterbury Cricket. Shackleton said it was paramount that Canterbury retain the right to play cricket at Jade Stadium. Negotiations between the two parties have been protracted but were close to finality. However, no Test play has been allocated to the ground next season, although there will be two one-day internationals at the ground.

Canterbury has been looking for an alternative ground, and while the extensive work that has gone into the ground at Queen Elizabeth II Park was a vast improvement, there was still a desire for another ground.

"We have been able to identify an alternative second-tier ground, and a number of meetings have been held with interested parties in an effort to reach a win-win outcome for all concerned. Once a Heads of Agreement is concluded we will be in a position to make a joint announcement concerning this venue. The board is confident that all involved in cricket will agree that this proposal, when announced, will be in the best interests of cricket," said Shackleton.

Richard Reid, the CCA chief executive, hinted further that the venue would be close to the central city, somewhere at Hagley Park. He said: "Following the success of the 125th jubilee match at Hagley Oval it was obvious, to me as an outsider, that the long term venue needed to be somewhere within the confines of Hagley Park. I am hopeful that we will be in a position very shortly to publicly state our intentions with regard to our preferred option as to a long term venue for Canterbury Cricket."

Canterbury have also been undergoing a change to their metropolitan club structure in time for the season of 2004-05. Shackleton commented on the change: "We consider that if the status quo remained there was little likelihood that there would be any improvement in the quality of club cricket at the top level. It is important that clubs take full advantage of all the opportunities that are available to develop their resources in order to enhance their opportunity to either remain in the premier competition or to advance to that level."

Reid also reported that the intended coaching and development plan for the province was underway in what will be a three-to-five year plan. He said that the Association's new indoor centre, which is part of its office complex, had been a revelation. "It makes me wonder how we did things beforehand," commented Reid.