Northern Districts achieve turnaround in finances

Northern Districts achieved a significant improvement in its financial performance last season reducing its deficit for the year by $64,855.

Traditionally the first of New Zealand's associations to present their annual report, due to an earlier end of financial year date, ND ended with a deficit overall of only $8136.

That was largely due to an increase in sponsorship, donations and grants of $279,949 to a total of $1,669,510 and an increase in park income of $76,784, up from $68,670 the previous year.

The cost of playing cricket doesn't get any cheaper however, and participation this year cost ND $901,967, an increase of $261,177 over the previous summer.

Coaching and development costs also increased, reaching $367,596, which was $132,272 higher.

ND chief executive John Turkington said: "Whilst a significant proportion of our income is sourced from New Zealand Cricket, most of the income comes with particular tags, and it is through the maximising of local fundraising opportunities that we are able to extend the basic development programmes, operate a comprehensive Academy programme, field competitive teams in all grades and grow the game at all levels."

Overall, it was one of the more successful seasons for the association with its men's side winning the State Shield when qualifying third for the playoffs and Northland winning the Hawke Cup.

Turkington said that after the loss of stalwart players like Simon Doull, Grant Bradburn and Mark Bailey the Shield success was a credit to coach Bruce Blair and the rebuilding process he employed.

Equally as satisfying was the growth occurring in Bay of Plenty and the Waikato where grass roots growth has been marked. There was good support from sports agencies in both regions but Turkington added: "Real credit for the growth and sustainability of our game throughout the region must go to the number of volunteers who manage, organise, coach, score and umpire each Saturday to ensure cricket is available to the wide numbers for whom it is their No 1 summer sport."

Initiatives launched last year by ND, the North Island Masters tournament in Taupo and the Origin Cup for ethnic groups in Hamilton are intended to become annual events.