Otago joined the list of financial achievers over the past season by recording a small surplus of $3400, which represented a vast improvement and a turnaround of $186,948 within 12 months.

That co-incided with a $186,395 increase in New Zealand Cricket (NZC) grants, and distributions, of $862,049, up from the previous year's $675,654.

Chief executive Graeme Elliott noted total expenses had been reduced from the previous year while income had increased by $170,000. The association had also benefited from a capital advance of $300,000 in funds from NZC.

Otago have also made some strategic moves to capitalise on their turnaround.

Steve Davie has been appointed as fundraiser and event manager which opened new areas from which to obtain regular annual income.

"The real benefit from this appointment will be seen in the next financial accounts," Elliott said.

The staging of a One-Day International at Queenstown in the New Year also offered significant funding opportunities while the redevelopment of the University Oval would assist in reducing costs for the hosting of home matches in Dunedin while also providing membership opportunities for Otago Cricket.

Elliott said the new strategic plan will be presented to the annual meeting on Thursday.

"I am confident that we are moving in the right direction as we assemble the staff and resources to ensure that we are able to play a full part as a Major Cricket Association and develop the game in our region," he said.

A significant part of that is the appointment of Glenn Turner as the first full-time State Otago Volts coach.

"With the appointment of Glenn for a two-year period, he has had the opportunity to plan for the coming season. A fit Shayne O'Connor and an enthusiastic Jeff Wilson will add real depth and experience to our team this season," he said.

Otago's age-group teams continue to perform well and a huge investment was being made.

"We have the structures in place to provide for the orderly development of players. Our High Performance Centre offers our teams and coaches excellent facilities for our winter programmes and we now have top class grass practice pitches constructed for the Under-19 World Cup. These will be of real value to all our teams as they prepare for tournaments," he said.

Elliott said coaching director Mike Hesson's contribution had been outstanding.

And on the playing side selection convener and Otago coach Turner said: "There was a strong emphasis on the three R's this season, respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all your actions.

"In general a stronger approach to higher ethical standards. Otago Cricket made a concerted effort to follow and action 'The Spirit of Cricket' as outlined in the laws of cricket. If there had been a fair play award, the State Otago Volts would have won it this year.

"Curiously, values have altered to the point whereby such an award is seen as a loser's award. Unfortunately, this summer the Otago Volts added fuel to this myth in the four-day Championship.

"It will be very interesting to follow the Volts fortunes in the 2002/03 season. Will last season's approach of encouraging players to look deeper into their own game, taking responsibility for their own actions and being asked to come up with some of their own answers, be performance-enhancing in the long term?"

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