2011-12 Annual Report - Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club

BOARD CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The days are just starting to get longer signifying that we have reached the right
side of winter, the side that leads towards a new cricket season.
2011/12 presented new challenges that encompassed all aspects of our club.
One of the biggest impacts has been the significant continued reduction in trust
grant funding that we have received. This has led to the club seeking other
sources of revenue primarily from sponsors. In addition some fund raisers have
produced mixed results. The most successful was the raffle that was put together
and delivered in a very short time frame.
Our financial status is far from unique in sporting circles and consistent with
other strugglers in the cricketing arena. We have seen in recent times other clubs
raise their game and offer their own facilities to their members rather than pay us revenue to utilise ours. Whilst at this
time keeping our heads above water is challenging it forces the promotion of new ideas and aspirations and in the years
to come I believe that we will look back and see this period as defining as our club goes forwards.
Quite simply if we do not adapt then Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club will slip into history and become a distant memory. I
have talked before in these reports about commitment, a collective responsibility and working together as a club. This is
one of the positives that is starting to emerge with the raffle a case in point. The next twelve months requires even more
commitment more dedication towards achieving these goals. The commitment and dedication however needs to come
from a wider spectrum and not from the same stalwarts that all clubs harbour.
As a club we need to develop our culture and discover respect for the hard working members that have laid the
foundations to enable us to be members today. I talk about respect and culture from a number of different perspectives
and experiences during the past twelve months. The most disturbing occurred whilst conducting a site inspection a few
weeks ago. Roland and I compiled a long list of works that need to be completed and plans for some exciting projects we
intend to undertake. During this inspection I was horrified to discover that our changing rooms had been vandalised with
graffiti smeared over the walls. This was not small but large obscene daubs that effectively defined our club. It defined
our club because the culprits were our members.
I wonder today if those who contributed to this vandalism have any idea of the clubs history or those members who are
contributing through a passion, desire and a love of the game, who wish to see our club be the best in the country. A club
is its members and its successes and failures are due to its members.
Pride, passion and commitment to this club needs to come from all if we are to move forwards. The close season has
seen ideas beginning to flourish and different areas of the membership starting to work towards the future. This must
continue, it must grow and fester in all areas.
Last year in this report I wrote “the next eighteen months are pivotal in the clubs development and some interesting
challenges lie ahead”. I still believe this to be true and between now and Christmas will prove to be a critical period in the
club’s future. We need more people to come forward, to offer their help to provide a positive influence in any way they
can.
I would like to say thank you to all those who have contributed to this club during the past twelve months and thank our
sponsors for their contribution. I would like to thank our volunteers and offer congratulations to all those who achieved
during the past season and look forward to increased successes in the season ahead. I would like to also thank our paid
staff who also offer their time and efforts well past their allotted contractual hours.
There are some exciting plans ahead especially in areas of ground development where a sizable sum has been allocated
to ground improvements by council. The senior committee are developing a player’s charter and there are a number of
other player projects underway set to improve the club culture as a whole. The process to motivate has been slow to date
but positive changes are certainly emerging and being lead by the players.
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