It is with great pleasure that I present to you, the members, my annual review of the activities of the ICA over the 2002 season.

When I presented my report last year, I could not have foreseen the successes we were about to achieve. Silver in 2001, three successes on and off the field in 2002 -

· The gold medal won by our Under 13 team at the ECC Championships held in Italy in August.
· Two Flicx pitches won in the European Spirit of Cricket initiative.
· The world wide achievement of being the global winner of the ICC / Flicx Community Development Award.

These three achievements prove beyond any shadow of doubt the success of our development programme, which was introduced in March 2000.

Our progress over the past 3 years has been awesome and startling. Could anyone involved in Israeli cricket in the past have imagined that almost 1000 children would have begun playing cricket in schools and as part of organized afternoon activities? Could anyone have imagined that Israel would become one of the strongest countries in European cricket at junior level? The respect gained by the ICA both at the ICC and the ECC is a result of quiet diplomacy behind the scenes and in the committee rooms, together with the concrete results achieved.

However success is not achieved cheaply. Progress is a combination of leadership, ideas and teamwork, backed up by sound financial management. At this point I would like to sound a warning. Due to severe problems at the 2003 World Cup the Associate Members will receive only half of what was originally budgeted for. This is not the place to debate the reasons for this extreme cut. However the ICA will have to look very carefully at the future of the development programme and all other general activities to ensure that our level of success is maintained.

This is the point in my report to convey my thanks to the ICC in London and Monaco, and all the staff at the ECC office at Lords for their continued support and outstanding contribution to Israeli cricket. Their financial and technical support has been truly remarkable over the past year. I would like to thank all the members for their outstanding co-operation which contributed to a harmonious season. To the directors of the ICA a special word of thanks for their hard work, especially secretary Naor Gudker and treasurer Ezra Ben Yehuda. Without their constructive input the ICA would not function as smoothly as it does.

1. League Competitions

2002 was a momentous year for Lions Lod when they once again achieved the domestic double of the League and Cup competitions. In both finals they convincingly defeated Netanya and Tel Aviv respectively. Their depth in batting contributed to the team amassing big scores, ensuring that their bowlers had plenty to bowl to. The ICA offers them congratulations for their fine effort. The B division was won by Dimona C. Be'er Sheva won the junior league for the first time. Well done!

Looking ahead to 2003, the ICA directorate has decided to divide the league into 3 divisions. The decision was made after the one-sided contests in the A division which has no doubt contributed to the indifferent performances of the National Team over the past seasons. In addition, it has been decided to introduce the limited overs fielding restrictions into the Premier League. Two new teams will be participating in the domestic league for the first time. Diamond Cricket Club consists of players who all work in the Tel Aviv Diamond Exchange, and the Negev Academy team is a selection of junior players from the Negev towns. I wish both teams much success.

2. 2002 ECC Championships - Belfast

This can best be described as a competition of missed opportunities for Israel. Dropped catches against Portugal, a tired performance against Gibraltar and a poor showing against Germany tended to overshadow two outstanding performances against Austria and France. In both victories, and indeed throughout the tournament, Herschel Gutman and Isaac Massil were outstanding with both bat and ball. It was the first time that the middle order batsman made auspicious contributions. Massil finished with an average of 44.75, having scored 179 runs, whilst Gutman was Israel's leading run scorer (and third in the tournament), scoring 182 runs at an average of 36.40. The fervent nature and attitude of Gutman on the field permeated down to the rest of the team. Steven Shein, captaining the team for the first time, did well both on and off the field. His studious approach and planned tactics paid dividends.

The performances of Danny Hotz, who turned 15 just five days before the tour, are worthy of special mention. He finished fourth on the batting averages and was amazing in the field. He played like a veteran, belying his young age. Danny is just one of the numerous young players who will no doubt form the core of the national team for many years to come.

A special word of appreciation to our physiotherapist Dr Dan Kiesel who once again did an amazing job on the field and on his treatment table making sure everybody was fit and ready to play.

3. ECC Under 13 2nd Division Championships - Grosetto, Italy

Kol Hakavod to our U13 team that won the gold medal at this tournament in August. The team, captained by Reuven Bergman (who won five tosses out of five…), won all of their matches, defeating Italy, Belgium, Germany, Gibraltar and France. Whilst the whole squad can be congratulated, the performances of spinners Ronen Wasker and Raz Ben-Zaken, backed up by wicketkeeper Shai Chayun, were truly fantastic. Batsman Bar Ilya was Israel's leading run scorer. Once again coach Herschel Gutman and team manager George Sheader proved a winning combination, and full credit goes to them for this fantastic achievement.

4. Youth Development Programme (YDP)

The YDP continues to surpass all expectations. Three new schools joined our programme in 2002. ICA coaches are now active in schools in Be'er Sheva, Tel Aviv, Kiryat Ono and Jaffa. Afternoon groups train in Ashdod, Be'er Sheva, Be'erot Yitzchak, Dimona, Kfar Saba, Netanya, Ra'anana and Yeruham. A total of nearly 1000 children have been introduced to cricket over the past 3 years. Danny Hotz became the first graduate of the YDP to represent the National Team. He outshone many of the senior players in Belfast.

The various coaching centers are all provided with the necessary equipment and seven coaches recently underwent the ECC Grade 1 coaching course, with a further six completing the Intermediary course. The most exciting developments have been the setting up of two academies. The Negev Academy groups together the most talented junior players in the Negev area, and will participate for the first time in the 2003 senior league. In addition, a National Academy has been established. Ten players were carefully selected as the first intake. Practice camps are held where an emphasis is placed on both technical coaching, and discussing theoretical issues such as captaincy, field placements and injury prevention.

A few weeks ago Israel was declared the global winner in the ICC / Flicx Community Development Competition. This is a truly prestigious award to have won, and includes a full Flicx package valued at over $6000. Israel won the prize based on a story submitted by Steven Shein about cricket development in the Negev, highlighting how much cricket has done to uplift and enhance the lives of so many children in the areas in which cricket is played.

At this juncture I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to George Sheader and Yoel Tzurekar for their unstinting labour in the Negev. Their efforts have borne the fruits after many years of hard work. A special thanks is also due to Harry Yonatan for his efforts in Ashdod. I also would like to thank all those people who have helped out with coaching duties, umpiring at tournaments or taken an active part in any other junior activity. Without these few cricket enthusiasts the development of cricket in Israel would not have had the success it has.

The highlight of the programme in 2003 will be the participation of our U15 team in the 2003 ECC U15 2nd Division Tournament which will be held in France from August 9 - 15. I am sure the team will once again do us proud. Exciting new initiatives that have also been planned for the coming season include a Cricket Week, which will be hosted in Dimona from April 6 - 8. The World Cup will be marked with a junior tournament at Hadar Yosef on April 13, and the inaugural Schools Challenge will be held at Hadar Yosef on May 1.

5. Umpiring and discipline on the field of play

The 2002 season was undoubtedly one of the most successful in terms of behaviour on the field. Throughout the season the games were played in a cordial fashion. This was no doubt due to the standard of umpiring, which I am pleased to report has improved remarkably. This can be attributed to a series of seminars conducted by Eli Yaakov and Sammy Bamnulkar of the Umpires Association. I thank them and all the umpires for their ongoing efforts in this very important task.

Special mention must also be made of Israel's umpire representative at the ECC Championships, Naor Gudker, who once again excelled. Starting off as a Division B umpire, Naor impressed the organizing committee so much that he was promoted to stand as an umpire in Division A and landed up being allocated what was essentially the tournament final between Ireland and an England X1.

6. Grounds and Infrastructure

As reward for activities undertaken by the ICA in the 2002 ECC Spirit of Cricket initiative, two Flicx pitches were sent to Israel by the ECC. Both these pitches are now used for all matches at Hadar Yosef, no doubt providing a better playing surface than the old matting wickets, which in turn allows for a better standard of cricket. I would like to thank the Israel National Athletics Stadium - both the management and the ground staff - for their continued support. The ICA values the special relationship that has been built between it and the Hadar Yosef team.

It is with regret that I note the decline in the Ashdod field over the past few months, which has essentially made the field unfit for play. I am also disappointed at the theft of the astro-turf wicket that was laid in Be'er Sheva.

7. Personnel Changes

Over the past 3 years Herschel Gutman has left an indelible mark on Israeli cricket - on the field, coaching, conducting seminars. In retrospect I can say without a shadow of doubt that the YDP would not have succeeded as it has without his knowledge and enthusiasm. On the field at the European Championships his personal example and fighting spirit was the backbone to the team's successes. At the end of 2002 Herschel left Israel temporarily for personal reasons which I respect and understand. He will however continue to play an active role as and when required.

In October 2002 the ICA acquired the services of Steven Shein as Director of Cricket Operations. His appointment was unanimously approved by the ICA directors at their September meeting.

I am pleased to announce that Roland Lefebvre has been re-appointed as National Coach as from April 2003. His fine performances at the 2003 World Cup show what an asset we have acquired. Roland will also be directly involved in the YDP.

8. Finances and Sponsorships

The 2002 Financial Statements show an increase in expenditures of 117868 shekels. The main contributing factor was the increased overseas touring costs. As long as Israel competes in cricket competitions the cost will be high. In 2002 there were two tours which were only partially covered by the ECC. The ICA hopes to retain the same level of activities in 2003, but will be guided by financial constraints. The reduction in the 2003 World Cup distribution could have a serious effect on ICA activities. I urge each and every club to try and raise income individually and not rely solely on income from the Sport Toto.

For the first time the ICA acquired sponsorships from two donors in England who committed themselves to supporting Israel cricket for three years. A special word of appreciation and thanks to Mr. Michael Ziff and Mr. Leonard Steinberg for their generous support and their love for Israel and cricket.

Finally I wish to thank all the players, supporters, and all those who have given of their time or expressed an interest in the local game, without whom cricket in Israel would not exist. Best wishes for a successful 2003 season,

Stanley Perlman
Chairman
Israel Cricket Association