Canterbury joined Northern Districts and Auckland in recording surpluses in their financial operations over the last financial year.

The country's most successful province on the field in recent years, Canterbury has managed a surplus of $152,355 for the year, up from $20,985 last year.

Significant cost increases occurred with the advance of coaching and development. Canterbury, in keeping with the greater emphasis on coaching growth seen as vital to the advance of all sports in New Zealand, lifted its expenditure in that area by $83,967 to $215,134.

Distributions to affiliates were lifted by $9595 to $87,880 while costs in administration were reduced by $23,642 to $419,335 and marketing and promotion dropped from $529,329 to $476,437.

Canterbury Cricket Association (CCA) chairman Maurice Ryan said the improved financial result, "was especially pleasing given the downturn in Shell Cup attendances and the difficult sponsorship market.

CCA chief executive Tony Murdoch said: "It is particularly gratifying to note the improved performance in day to day operations with a much healthier cash flow situation being recorded."

However, the outlook was not so rosy on the improvement in the overall state of the CCA finances, which Murdoch described as still being precarious.

"Changed and current sponsorship trends do not offer encouragement.

"The very strong support, which Canterbury Cricket receives from local businesses, is very much under threat with the trend to relocate head offices in Auckland or, in some cases, to move offshore.

"The increasing dependence on gaming machine funding is also a major concern not just for the CCA but also for districts, clubs and schools.

"While this source of revenue has replaced more traditional sponsorships there is an urgent need to develop alternative funding in the event of legislative changes," Murdoch said.

He added that the fall off in spectator numbers for Shell Cup games was more than a one-off.

It had become a trend, suggesting a change in spectator patterns as a result of the twin tour concept being developed on the international front.

"The popularity of radio and Internet commentaries of domestic competitions lend weight to the view that cricket continues to enjoy a broad following and the marketing of one day and four day fixtures will need to be aware of this strong home and work-based followers."

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