Cricket PNG AGM Caps Off Huge Year

The Board of Cricket held its Annual General meeting on Saturday following what was described by Chairman Mick Nades MBE as a year of great growth and good governance.

Mr Nades opened the AGM by stating, that the past year has seen many significant achievements along with some Financial and Governance challenges as the business has grown at such a significant rate.

"This year's Annual General Meeting saw a full set of audited accounts presented that highlighted significant expenditure and investment in the Future of Cricket in Papua New Guinea. While the business operated in deficit for the year the Board supported investment in new infrastructure through the continuing development of Amini Park, an amazing level of International performance that has seen the Hebou Barramundi's climb the world rankings, a Brian Bell supported Future Stars scholarship program that has seen 18 Elite young Men and women playing in Australia and Scotland in premier competitions, over 450 people passing through education & training accreditation programs around PNG as well as the recruitment of over 72 staff and the development of 10 Regions around Provincial PNG," said Mr Nades.

"As Chairman I continue to be excited about the future prospects for our sport in PNG."

The Cricket PNG Constitution calls for three Directors to be elected each year and for each Director to serve a two year term. The three incumbents all stood for re-election unchallenged and as the members stated as a strong measure and reflection of the stable and excellence governance that exists within the sport.

Re-elected were Deputy Chairman Mitch Lutschini (General Manager of Hebou Constructions PNG), Secretary and prominent Lawyer Rio Fiocco and Women's cricket Director and legendary PNG Sports Woman Iammo Launa MBE.

Mr Nades also stated "We sadly saw the passing of our Patron Sir Brian Bell as a low point of the past year. Sir Brian or Mr B as he was known had a heart of GOLD and was a massive contributor to our sport and to the general community all over PNG. It is highly unlikely that anyone will ever see all of the generosity he showed in supporting so many people all over Papua New Guinea."

The year has ended on a high note with the awarding of a Queens birthday MBE honour to Cricket PNG's Life Member and previously long serving Secretary Wayne Satchell who gave up over 30 years of his life to support Cricket in PNG.

"We have much to thank Mr Satchell for," stated Mr Nades.

Mr Nades also stated that, "whilst 2011 has been a year of massive growth and achievement none of this would have been possible without the Financial support and business guidance of Sir Brian Bell and the Brian Bell Group of companies, the stability and assistance provided over the years by Stan Joyce and SP Brewery as well as support from Telikom PNG for National teams."

"I have to again thank our major partners who have made such a difference to Cricket in this country."

The BSP School Cricket program grew from strength to strength with over 53,000 boys and girls all over PNG participating in Cricket Education. The program was awarded by East Asia Pacific as well as winning the ICC's global award for Best Junior Development program in 2010.

"The management of BSP through Ian Clyne and Johnson Kalo as well as all of the BSP team need to be congratulated for taking a risk that certainly has paid off," said Mr Nades.

"The support of major partner Hebou Constructions as the ICC Internationally accredited national team partner in assisting the Hebou Barramundi's to move inside the Top 20 cricket playing countries in the world has been a major factor in our on-field success."

"I was exceptionally excited to see the fulfilment of a dream with the building of our first ever turf wickets at Amini Park and Colts Cricket ground. This project without doubt has long-term benefits for the game. I have to thank Hebou Constructions for the huge contribution they made to the turf wicket project through equipment, materials, labour and expertise. It is also important to thank Badili Hardware for drainage and pipes, Air Niugini for flying the grass in from Australia and the ICC for paying for the grass."

"In August under the banner of Air Niugini the Air Niugini Supa Series was held for the first time in PNG on our new turf wickets."

The full National squads of Malaysia (ranked 34), Singapore (ranked 31) and Hong Kong (ranked 24) arrived for a Series of T20 & 50 over matches. Once again the Barramundi's dominated by winning all round robin matches. Once again our Key partner Air Niugini through Wasantha Kumasiri and Colin Lyttle did a wonderful job in providing flights, trophies and support for the Event.

"The support from Air Niugini extends well past this event and all of our National Teams travel in comfort with Air Niugini," said Mr Nades.

"We are also the beneficiary of local flights which aid cricket around Regional PNG. Without doubt the support of Air Niugini each year has a huge influence on our success."

"The Pacific MMI Motor Vehicles Limited "Don't Drink and Drive" Event continued on from 2009 with even more Cricket Legends visiting PNG including World Test Cricket record holder Muttiah Muraliduran who was here as part of the Don't Drink and Drive event and helped Cricket PNG play an active part in the PNG World aids day celebrations. The event was awarded by East Asia Pacific as well as winning the ICC's global award for Best Cricket Promotional and Marketing Programme 2010 following on from its Global success also in 2009."

"Once again the Event was LIVE telecast by EMTV to a National Sunday afternoon audience and the commentary team of former Australian Test cricketers Greg Ritchie and Steve Rixon did a great job. Cricket PNG thank Wayne Dorgan (CEO Pacific MMI) and Dr John Mua (MVIL) for their long-term support," said Mr Nades.

The work of Andy Bichel a former Qld Bull and Australian Test Legend and the inclusion of former Australian Test cricketer Greg Campbell as National Operations Manager into the High Performance team in November with Rarua Dikana and Peter Moide has certainly paid dividends across the entire range of Cricket PNG's Men's, Women's and Junior International teams.

"A new initiative introduced for 2011 has been the Dulux Provincial Championships. This event features a Men's & Women's tournament in each of our Ten (10) Regions. Once such region is Kavieng where the Dulux Championship has precipitated the building of our first ever pitch in New Ireland. The Dulux support is building a "bridge" between Port Moresby/Central Province and Lae to former Cricket playing Provinces and NEW markets. This is an exciting achievement for the Cricket office. I want to thank Dulux Group for their continuing support and for their willingness to support the Development of our Sport," remarked Mr Nades.

"The sport of Cricket is growing in PNG primarily because of local support. Being well managed is a credit to our hard working team at the Cricket Haus but without local business rigor and financial support Cricket PNG would not be achieving the results that have been achieved to date."

"I want to make special mention of the Media support we receive. Programs like Sportsscene (EMTV) TeliSports (Kundu 2), Komatsu Sports (FM100) and NBC Saturday Sports (NBC) all have given cricket an enormous boost. The print Media through the National and the Post Courier also are doing so much to lift the profile of our great game.
The East Asia Pacific ICC team once again have provided knowledge, expertise and support proving that quality Administration is the key to success Internationally."

"The staff at Cricket PNG from the ground crew to the Regional managers and staff, to our Coaches and Administration have proven again in 2010/11 that they are the No 1 sports Team in PNG. Well done to one and all for another outstanding year," closed Mr Nades when handing down his year end report.

Finally Mr Nades said "As the Best performed International Sport in PNG (factual based on World rankings/No of Countries participating), Cricket continues to grow at an enormous rate. Cricket's achievements, image, behaviour and gender inclusive format mean that Cricket is reaching more people than ever before."

"As a sport we have audited proof of over 85,000 participants in 10 Provinces in PNG. To all who have made this happen I say Thank you," said Mr Nades.