Costs of cricket canvassed

Press, 17 September 1976, Page 17

Costs of cricket canvassed

There is a danger of cricket I pricing itself off the market. I the president of the CanterIbury Cricket Association (Mr: I A. G. Williams) told the I association’s annual meeting Speaking to the annual | report, Mr Williams men tioned possible costs of cricketing equipment this season — $7O-80 for a bat. balls at $lO to $l2 each—i and said that no club had : shown it was able to cover |its . costs by subscriptions; alone. “Clubs in this association are facing threats from organisations which can offer cricket for a $5 subscription.” said Mr Williams Mr Williams made clear he | was not critical of the work i of the Christchurch Suburban Association. “We both provide the function of administering and providing; for cricket,” he said. “But we have two associations which have to provide administration and 1 administrators for perhaps only 2000 players who, after ail, are only Saturday afternoon players.” There were anomalies, Mr I Williams said. Still on the subject of finance. Mr Williams speculated that the association “might have to accept responsibility for all grounds in the association’s area,” with a view to equalising: costs. He also congratulated clubs which were bringing women's teams “into their fold.” The principle of promotionrelegation between the second and third grades, and the desira - bility of senior teams having a second grade side, received a thorough airing, mainly at the I instigation of the Burnside-West | club, and the management committee chairman (Mr D. J. Elder). Burnside-West was last season last in the second grade; and; East-Shirley, without a second’

I grade side, won third grade Burnside-West, through Mr B. C. Adams, emphasised what he said i was its need for a second grade [side. Mr L. J. Knowles <East[Shirley) said that his views had altered a little There was noth img wrong with third grade last [season, he said; it was surpris* j ingly strong, and there was a keen edge to the competition Mr F Rice (Sydenham* ' his club did not support i promotion-relegation, but felt that a senior club should ha>e la second grade side, and sup ported East-Shirle\ coming into a second grade, perhaps of 10 teams. However several speakers did not support the idea of a 10team competition, and Mr N G., Ockweß emphasised that uhat : ever policy was adopted. it' should be consistent No motion was proffered. The grading committee, as usual, will! allocate teams to grades. ; Officers elected were President. Mr A G Williams, vice-presidents. Messrs R G. Knowles and I. P Anderson; secretary. Mr D. G. Harrison; treasurer. Mr H J. Tavlor; assist ant secretary. Mr \ G. Ockwell. management committee. Messrs L. J. Knowles. B. C. Adams. D. F. C. Cox. 1 D Dempsey, D. C. iWilson, G. W. Frampton. M C. Stonyer R. G. Wise, G T. Allen and A. A. Dobson.