MCA finances drop with first loss in three years

"The important thing for us is we would like to post a profit. That means our cash reserves are building." MCA operations manager Dave Meiring.

A lack of funding has hit the Manawatu Cricket Association in the pocket.

The MCA had their annual meeting at Fitzherbert Park on Wednesday night and operations manager Dave Meiring declared a surplus of $16,292, down from last year’s $41,021 profit.

‘‘We did post a small loss after depreciation of $16,292, which, going from profit the year before, is in correlation to the lack of funding we received this year,’’ he said. ‘‘It was $60,000 down on grants and donations which is, almost to the dollar, the difference between last year and this year.’’

Meiring said the main reason was the lack of money from main sponsor, NZCT, but they had anticipated it.

They are putting in applications next month to try and build relationships with other funders.

‘‘The important thing for us is we would like to post a profit. That means our cash reserves are building.’’

The MCA used up their cash reserves two years ago when they built the indoor grassed training facility at Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

The MCA received a $22,855 development contributions bill from the Palmerston North City Council for the indoor facility in April, but they budgeted for it.

It was discounted by $7618 and they could get a similar amount from a council fund.

In other matters, there were three changes to the board, with Andrew Wylie standing down, as well as the long-serving Dennis Radford and Mark Cleaver.

Rachel Wenham, Carla na Nagara and Jamie How replaced them, joining president Murray Brown, Derek Dilks, Craig Rowe and Paul Gibbs.

They also made changes to MCA club cricket bylaws.

Games on long weekends can be shifted to two weeks before or after, if both captains agree, which will also apply for extraordinary circumstances like nearby Black Caps games, so players can go.

Players can now play 50 per cent of games to be eligible for finals, rather than 60 per cent.

Finals eligibility rules are now more flexible for school leavers joining new clubs after Christmas.

MCA FINANCIALS: 2016: $16,292 deficit, 2015: $41,021 surplus, 2014: $107,691 surplus, 2013: $8945 deficit, 2012: $85 surplus, 2011: $44,227 surplus, 2010: $30,640 surplus, 2009: $9121 surplus, 2008: $76,126 surplus, 2007: $72,759 surplus, 2006: $79,296 surplus, 2005: $5885 surplus, 2004: $53,338 surplus, 2003: $13,126 deficit, 2002: $20,744 surplus, 2001: $4503 deficit, 2000: $17,334 surplus, 1999: $10,571 deficit, 1998: $3799 deficit, 1997: $12,796 surplus.