The 22nd Cricket Wellington AGM highlighted a year of continued growth for the organisation.
Held in the Norwood Room at the Basin Reserve this evening, the meeting recognised another strong year in community, pathway, and high-performance cricket.
Growth in the community space was highlighted by considerable increases in playing numbers, particularly in the youth and female space, as well as the introduction of the community delivery network which aims to ensure the Wellington community is supported by high quality cricket opportunities and resources.
The restructure of the premier men’s and women’s club competitions has created greater opportunities for developing players at club level and has resulted in more players progressing to the Firebirds and Blaze.
Members heard that the organisation was succeeding financially – recording a small $10,953 surplus for the previous financial year.
Cricket Wellington CEO Cam Mitchell noted his pride in the continued growth of the organisation especially when faced with the impacts of COVID-19.
“Our community staff have done a brilliant job in leading and delivering new forms of cricket which have resulted in significant growth in player, coach and official numbers,” he said.
“The support from the government's COVID-19 wage subsidy, helped enabled us to support our staff during the lockdown and cushion the impact of reduced revenue from sources such as class four funding.
“Due to COVID-19, the years ahead will be ones of uncertainty - however, due to our strong position, we have chosen to invest into the clubs by reducing the burden associated with affiliation fees for the 2020/21 season. We want to ensure that cricket in Wellington stays strong during this time and that the community can connect via our member clubs.”
Cricket Wellington congratulated Trish McKelvey who was elected as patron and John Greenwood who was appointed as a life member.
McKelvey has enjoyed outstanding success in both the education and sporting arenas and more recently she has made a major contribution in public company directorship.
She also achieved recognition as a world-class cricketer and leader in both the education and sporting fields. As a cricketer, she captained the New Zealand women's cricket team for 16 years from 1966 to 1982. She scored 155 not out against England in the first Test at the Basin Reserve in 1969.
In 2012, she received the Sport NZ Lifetime Achievement Award. She was awarded the MBE for services to Women's Cricket in 1981 and the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Education in 2005.
Greenwood played cricket for Victoria University and captained the Wellington B team during the 1970’s and also captained the New Zealand University team when they played against the Australian Universities team. He also served on the Cricket Wellington Board, known then as the Management Committee and has also been a Basin Reserve Trust Trustee since 2013.
For over 30 years, John has been a first-class Commissioner and Regional Commissioner for New Zealand Cricket. He has been a Cricket Wellington Honorary Solicitor for over three decades.
John has convened New Zealand Law Society committees and chaired the New Zealand Law Society General Practice and Property Law committee for six years. For the last 17 years, he has been a moderator for the New Zealand Council of ‘Legal Education of Property Law’, and ‘Equity’ and ‘Succession’ law papers at all New Zealand universities.
Four new vice-presidents were announced – Penny Kinsella, Dave Gillespie, Nicki Cruickshank, and John Selby, while former Firebirds and Blaze players Luke Woodcock and Lucy Doolan were appointed as honorary cricket members.
Cricket Wellington showed its gratitude to its departing Board member Gretchen Young and welcomed one new Board director, Rochelle Roddick, as well as Elizabeth Scurr who was re-elected for another term.
Three honorary officers were also elected - John Greenwood was appointed as honorary legal counsel, Dr Jake Pearson was appointed as honorary medical officer, and Ian Smith was appointed as honorary statistician.
“We’re very satisfied to be able to welcome Trish as patron and John as the latest life member of Cricket Wellington,” said Mitchell.
“Our latest vice-presidents and honorary members and officers are all terrific ambassadors for Cricket Wellington and the impact that these types of people have had on cricket makes you very proud to be a part of the game in the Capital.
“We are in a strong place moving forward and are looking forward to the new season with excitement and optimism.”
Click here to view the 2019-20 Cricket Wellington Annual Report
Click here to view the 2019-20 Cricket Wellington Financial Statements
Article added: Wednesday 14 October 2020
