New Zealand: Canterbury Cricket budgets for profit (21 Aug 1998)

21 August 1998

Canterbury Cricket budgets for profit

by John Coffey

Canterbury Cricket has budgeted for a profit next season and chief executive Tony Murdoch is confident the necessary turnaround of $250,000 can be achieved.

A record loss of $243,338 was disclosed for the 1997-98 season, causing widespread shock that such a successful association could finish so much in the red.

One of the cost-cutting measures is a move away from Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) for Shell Trophy and similar fixtures. Murdoch said Canterbury cricket's traditional headquarters had become "a liability in some ways."

"The rental has increased significantly over the last two years. It has virtually seen the end to playing Shell Trophy-type fixtures, which attract small crowds, and we are not planning any of those games there this season," he said.

The only exception would be a New Zealand Cricket or International Cricket Conference request to trial the portable pitch over several days.

Alternative trophy venues were Rangiora's Dudley Park, Aorangi Park in Timaru, and possibly the new village green at Queen Elizabeth II Park.

Regional grounds, however, cannot cope with the regular attendances of 6000 or 7000 at Shell Cup games. They would remain at the stadium, but Murdoch is hopeful of negotiating a percentage-based rental with the Victory Park Board.

A total of $189,587 was lost on the Shell Series in 1997-98, compared to a $40,913 deficit in 1996-97.

Sponsorship and grants brought in $258,361 and gate receipts produced $76,818. They fell well short of covering player payments ($247,053), match expenses ($220,188), travel ($29,245), and accommodation ($28,280).

Costs had increased by $134,000 over the previous financial year, while income had fallen by $14,000.

"The Shell Series costs a lot to run, and always has. I guess that is part of the commitment you make to running a first-class team," said Murdoch.

"Because we have eight players in the national team we had to run a squad of 24. If you divide 24 into the total (payments) it's only about $9000 per player. For six months work that is not much."

Murdoch explained the payments were structured in three ways -- retainers (at two levels, for top-class players and those considered essential to the team), daily rates, and bonuses for winning.

Source :: The Canterbury Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)