Devon Cricket Board - DCB Ltd 2010 Chairman's Report

Chairman’s Report to AGM – 13/12/2010

This is the first Chairman’s report of Devon Cricket Board Ltd. As the first Cricket Board to adopt this model of governance a number of other Cricket Boards have followed suit and our model is now recognised as the preferred choice for County Cricket Boards by the ECB. It has been replicated across the country. Devon has once again led the way.

The last 21 months have, in my view, ‘flown by’ and only in the compilation of this report have I realised the achievements in Devon Cricket and some of the challenges we have faced.

We have firstly changed our financial systems. Out budgeting and accounting is changing to run in line with small businesses. This has commenced and we are much clearer about our financial planning. It does not make it any ‘rosier’ but certainly clearer. Ted Ashman has kept ‘our books’ for the last 7 years, he has done this with diligence and integrity. I understand entirely his wish to move this responsibility to someone who has the skills in accountancy. I personally thank Ted for his service as Honourable Treasurer and latterly as Finance Director. Just as an example, DSB Ltd has written two cheques this year. Nearly all of our creditors have moved to an online service. In 2009 we made no online payments!

Financial stability is key to our future, the DCB needs to ensure that it has a sound financial base and that is not totally reliant on the ECB and Government for its income. Similarly we need to ensure are member organisations are financially robust and able to manage in these difficult economic times.

The governance of many of our organisations has changed over recent times and the latest to ‘streamline’ has been the County Club with a move to an Executive Management Group. The Youth Association has also adopted a new constitution and several ‘projects’ have helped improve their financial outlook. A large sponsorship deal together with some very able parents helping the Devon Youth Cricket Foundation have given a real boost to the financial situation and ensured they are not totally reliant on ECB/DCB sources of funding.

The new training for officials has been undertaken by DACO in their usual efficient style, Women and Girls cricket continues to grow at a grass root level. This needs to be replicated through Devon Cricket including the DCB membership. Ideas for resolving this situation needs further exploration. The Development Groups have flourished and provide our most crucial link to our grass roots, and or Coach Education programme is the envy of many counties across the country.

We have seen many new facilities spring up with new pavilions at Brixham and Cornwood and many other successful projects financed with ECB/DCB support. The number of focus clubs has also grown to 41 (more than 50% more than proposed in our original development plan). Clubs need support and this has meant taking on additional staff. We now employ a C.D.O. and it is important to recognise the increased capacity that has been achieved to support cricket in Devon.

The Exeter Chance to Shine project was one of the biggest in the country involving over 20 schools, 1000 children and was opened by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport at Wynstream school.

On the cricket side, there have been a number of terrific performances and I need to mention a few:

Devon entered its first county disability team and is progressing some real opportunities of cricketers with disabilities.

Heather Knight received full international honours with age group international honours for Lewis Gregory, Jodie Dibble and Amara Carr.

We have seen a record number of young cricketers being contracted to first class counties from our development squads.

The county club has given some opportunities to young players to represent the county side and the under 17’s is the only side in the country to win all their games in National Group stages (against 1^st class counties) – pointed out to me by Andy Hayhurst – CEO Lancashire Cricket Board.

At a local level, Sidmouth dominate the premier leagues and it is encouraging to see the significant contributions young players are making in premier league cricket.

We do however face significant challenges.

Budgets and funding are fragile. The government wants to move to more volunteering, ‘it’s what we already do’.

We may have to make some difficult choices in the next couple of years and cuts are inevitable.

We have a new MoU to comply with and will need to ensure we are as successful in meeting these requirements as we were previously, our success improves our funding.

We face some challenges around adult participation – we know there are ‘drop outs’ from cricket in late teens and late twenties. What could we do to keep some of these players in cricket? Are we offering what they want? Could we be more flexible? Are there other ways we can ensure our sport responds to the needs of players and their families and continues to thrive?

As always in Devon, we will meet these challenges and this is entirely due to a highly skilled, committed work force of volunteers and professional staff delivering great outcomes for Devon.

Jim Wood

December 2010