WACA cuts its losses by $950,000

The Western Australian Cricket Association has reduced its losses by $950,000 and posted its highest earnings in five years. Led by Dennis Lillee during his first term as president, the board has turned a $1.34m hole into a $386,738 operating deficit for 2004-05 due to streamlining, staff cuts, increased crowds and a growing membership base.

Tony Dodemaide, the WACA chief executive, said the recovery made the future look bright. "To turn around our finances in this manner is a fantastic result and a credit to the board and the staff," he said.

David Williams, the WACA chairman, also revealed the incumbent board members eligible for re-election would be returned unopposed at the AGM on September 21. "There's no doubt that we've had to make some tough decisions over the last year, but to see a financial turnaround like this, and to have our members give us such a strong vote of confidence, is proof that we are moving in the right direction," Williams said.

The WACA's earnings before borrowing costs and depreciation reached $1.787 million in 2004-05, the best result in these terms in five years. The equivalent figure in 2003-04 was $866,000. Lillee ran for office last year with the backing of a group of former players including Graeme Wood, Sam Gannon and Daryl Foster, who were tired of the organisation's old-fashioned direction.