Hong Kong Cricket Association Chairman's Report 2000-01
Mike Walsh - 21 May 2001
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.
Playground Cricket in Hong Kong Photo © ICC
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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.
© ICC