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League & Cup
It was decided that
both Saturday and Sunday League and Cup programs should be concluded by
the end of March to make the length of the season predictable. With good
management of fixtures and ground bookings and the cooperation of teams
this was achieved, with the policy finding general support among players
and clubs.
This season we welcomed
Ernest Maude Continental Investments and Somerley Ltd as title sponsors
of the Saturday and Sunday Leagues respectively; the first League sponsors
for some years. We would hope to retain their support in coming seasons.
The season opening,
inaugural Platypus Cup match, featuring the best players from the independent
sides vs the best of the Clubs, delivered an entertaining match eventually
won by the Independents and proved a popular concept. It is expected the
fixture will become a regular feature in the HK cricket calendar.
The HKCA's website
has been developed over the years by Travis Pittman. Now featuring individual
player statistics as well as results, fixtures and general news about
HK cricket our site has become a fantastic resource, as good as any cricket
website in the world. We should record our thanks to Travis for his efforts.
International
Hong Kong has had
a rewarding season internationally, commencing initially with the successful
resolution of the HK Permanent ID card at last year's ICC conference,
with holders of the card now eligible under the ICC 'citizen' category
for international tournaments. This decision followed several years of
lobbying by HKCA officials of the ICC and national cricket Boards.
Extensive preparations
were made by HKCA for the squad competing for the ACC Trophy in Sharjah.
Not least of these preparations was the hiring of Adam Hollioake as National
Team coach. The players responded well on the pitch, captained by Stewart
Brew, by reaching the final of the tournament thereby qualifying for the
Asia Cup against the Asian Test countries, an unprecedented achievement.
Hong Kong's Rahul Sharma was deservedly declared Player of the Tournament.
Preparations are now in full swing for the forthcoming ICC Trophy in Canada.
In Tuanku Ja'afar
tournaments Hong Kong has had reasonable success, winning the senior category
in Thailand, and reaching the final in all of the junior age levels.
The funding support
of the Hong Kong Sports Development Board for Hong Kong's international
commitments is particularly significant.
Grounds
HKCA has received
confirmed funding, and has signed a lease on a large piece of ground in
the Po Kong Village Road area of Kowloon. It is planned that this ground
will be ready for League cricket fixtures in the coming season and will
therefore become the first new cricket ground to be played on since HKCC
moved from Chater Road to the Gap in 1974.
The availability of
grounds suitable for cricket is, however, now the most limiting factor
currently affecting the growth of Hong Kong domestic cricket; an area
to which HKCA must devote considerable attention. HKCA is therefore currently
working on plans to develop indoor cricket in Hong Kong, and at possibilities
created by innovations in the use of portable wickets on multi-purpose
sports fields.
Development
Our Development Program,
under Gavin Erasmus, has made great strides this season, building on the
growth of the last few years. Recently we were delighted to confirm that
'Wellcome' would come on board to what will now be titled the 'Wellcome
Cricket Development Program' in a three year agreement worth HK$740,000
to the Association.
Exceptional growth
has occurred in the HKCA's primary school development program, the Playground
League, which has doubled the number of competing teams to 32 in only
its second year of operation. With equipment donations, training and demonstrations
by HKCA coaches at the schools, and organised competition this program
is now a cornerstone of our Development Program.
The Elementary centre
program with instruction in Cantonese is growing steadily with the 8 week
courses now being held several times per year at 5 outdoor and 6 indoor
locations around Hong Kong. For support with this program HKCA is particularly
grateful to the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.
The two main new junior
development projects introduced this season have been an Under 11 Junior
League to add to the existing Under 13, 15 and 19 Junior Leagues; and
a website dedicated to junior cricket 'crick-kid.com' which is wholly
maintained by HKCA and features junior competitions, photos, fixtures
and team news and bilingual cricket features.
The development statistics
for 2000 show that the varifiable participation in HKCA development projects
rose significantly from over 6,000 in 1999 to just over 10,000 in 2000,
excellent progress.
Of course, the more
cricket projects there are the more trained coaches are required. Progress
was also made during the season in the increasingly important area of
coach development with 20 Cantonese speaking coaches being trained to
HKCA Level 2 standard (NZ Level 1) with assistance from Auckland C.A.
through the ICC Development Program.
Finance
Financing the work
and projects of the HKCA is an ongoing and carefully monitored task. The
Hon. Treasurer will report more fully on this area to the meeting.
Events
Substantial efforts
are being made by HKCA to bring together all the various components needed
to stage an international event in Hong Kong.
Others
Hong Kong cricket
will be losing two individuals who have made particularly valuable contributions
to the game here when they retire and depart Hong Kong this summer, namely
David Clinton and John Freeman. I'd like to acknowledge HKCA's gratitude
for their outstanding services to Hong Kong cricket.
I'd like to take this
opportunity to congratulate Hong Kong Cricket Club on their 150th Anniversary
which was celebrated recently with a superb cricket festival featuring
both MCC sides competing against each other for the first time outside
of their respective countries.
HKCA should also record
its thanks to its administrative and coaching staff who work hard to meet
the increasing demands placed upon them.
Summary
2000-01 has been a
successful season for HKCA both on and off the field. There are still
major challenges to be overcome, especially in the areas of finance and
facilities. But there is no doubt that HKCA is progressing steadily upwards,
with ambitions and expectation levels rising accordingly. With increasing
support from the ICC, SDB, LCSD, the support of the HKCA membership and
Clubs, and appropriate management, this growth will continue.
Mike Walsh
Chairman
12th May 2001
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