Hagley Oval, Germon’s crowning glory
Hagley Oval will always be Lee Germon’s legacy.
The former New Zealand captain will finish up after nine years as Canterbury Cricket’s chief executive at the end of June.
Germon, 48, has been appointed general manager of Australian Twenty20 Big Bash franchise, the Sydney Thunder, and starts in the role in July.
While plenty of people were integral in the redevelopment of Christchurch’s boutique ground, Germon was the face of the controversial project.
There were countless occasions when he thought the venture was going to fail as they went through the environment court, battled red tape, drummed up funding and encountered stern opposition.
Germon dealt with hate mail on his answer phone and nasty notes on Canterbury Cricket’s office door, while his children took unsavoury calls at home.
When the ground became New Zealand’s eighth test venue on Boxing Day 2014 against Sri Lanka, there was a huge amount of satisfaction and pride.
Two months later, 18,000 spectators packed into Hagley to watch New Zealand get their World Cup campaign off to the perfect start beating Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tournament.
‘‘It taught me an awful lot about overcoming challenges and obstacles and being determined. When you look back now, it was well worth it,’’ Germon said.
He stressed Hagley was a collaborative effort and applauded the vision and bravery of Canterbury Cricket’s board, and former chair Cran Bull.
Convincing people they weren’t going to construct a concrete jungle in the middle of leafy Hagley Park wasn’t easy.
Looking out at Hagley’s grass embankment, pavilion and lush outfield today, he believed Christchurch had one of the finest cricket venues in the country.
With Wellington’s Basin Reserve due for a much-needed upgrade and several other grounds on the rise, including Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval and Nelson’s Saxton Oval, Germon urged against complacency.
‘‘At times we sit there and can’t quite believe we’re here watching New Zealand play South Africa at Hagley [last month]. Seven or eight years ago, it didn’t look likely.’’
Germon recalls Cricket World Cup matches being granted to Christchurch, when they didn’t even have a completed facility.
There were some nervous moments along the way, but he never lost hope the venue wouldn’t be ready.
Wife Toni thought Hagley was ‘‘going to be the end’’ of Germon.
‘‘It was challenging, gruelling and tiring. It was so consuming with the work that had to go in. It was hugely challenging, but one we were all really committed to.’’
Canterbury Cricket isn’t done and have aspirations to make the venue more spectator friendly, increase the capacity and set up an indoor training facility in the nearby horticultural hall. Big Bash The Thunder general manager’s job was one which piqued Germon’s curiosity.
Canterbury Cricket and the Thunder T20 franchise have shared a strategic alliance over the past two years, playing two preseason matches at Hagley. Several Canterbury Cricket staff have also travelled to Sydney to see how the Thunder organisation operates.
The two teams have also shared players with former Australian test cricketers Michael Hussey and Shane Watson representing the Kings and Black Caps’ batsman Henry Nicholls turning out for Sydney.
‘‘From a career perspective, I want to stay in cricket,’’ Germon said. ’’I want to try and make a difference through cricket. This was an opportunity that came up. They don’t come along very often.’’
The chance to be closely involved with Australia’s Big Bash competition, which attracts large attendances and some of the world’s best cricketers, was hugely appealing.
His new role encompasses a broad job description, including off field community engagement, ensuring the Thunder’s flagship men’s and women’s teams are firing, and taking responsibility for the finances.
‘‘Although it’s only a six week tournament, the Sydney Thunder turns over a significant amount of money. It’s important that it’s profitable, so that it can be reinvested back into the game.’’
Germon will be closely involved with former Australian batsman Hussey, the Thunder’s director of cricket. Surpluses He felt he was leaving Canterbury Cricket in a far better position than when he started in 2008.
Canterbury’s high performance programmes were working well with a strong supply of homegrown talent coming through the ranks.
The association’s objective of having at least 90 per cent of their contracted men’s players being nurtured through their age-group sides were being met. Canterbury men’s and women’s teams both captured the one-day title this summer. The men are in contention for their third Plunket Shield four-day title in four years, should they beat Wellington in their final round match this week.
Germon said Canterbury Cricket had achieved surpluses each year during his tenure, but forecasted a small deficit this year because they had invested more money into community cricket.
‘‘The Hagley project took all our money. We’ve managed to start building that up ... [Financially], it’s a continual challenge. We’re reliant on the funding of outside organisations, like other sports are. It’s a tenuous position for us.’’
It’s the little things about cricket in the province and Hagley Oval, Germon will miss the most.
‘‘The biggest thing for me is seeing the kids play there on a Friday afternoon, to be honest. That’s fantastic and that was the vision of Hagley.’’