Success on the field has pushed the Otago Cricket Association into a sound position off it, chief executive Ross Dykes says.
The OCA reported an operating surplus of $119,217 at its annual meeting at the University Oval on Wednesday night.
Chairman Murray Hughes described the surplus as a highlight of the year, considering the association had for so long struggled to keep its head above water financially.
Dykes told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the success of the Volts, who struck paydirt when they qualified for the inaugural Champions League twenty/20 tournament in India, had helped boost the surplus.
"That probably pushed it up beyond the $100,000 mark," he said. "That money will go back into the game. We need to keep building up our reserves, which are now at about $180,000."
Otago's participation in the Champions League, North Otago's fairytale Hawke Cup victory and Otago Country's successful hosting of the massive South Island primary school tournament were recognised at the meeting.
There was also a special honour for George Morris, who was awarded life membership of Otago cricket for his services to umpiring and management.
Morris umpired senior club cricket at the age of 16 and made his first-class debut, standing in the game between Otago and New Zealand Under-23, in 1977-78. He umpired club cricket for 15 years and stood in 28 first-class games, including four tests and four ODIs.
Morris has also managed Otago, New Zealand A and numerous Otago age-group sides, as well as served as a selector and tournament director.
He has been chairman of the Dunedin Cricket Association for the past six years, and is the immediate past president of the OCA.
The meeting reaffirmed the Otago positions of Iain Gallaway (patron) and John Petre (president). Board members Jason Cushen and Bevan Rickerby stood down by rotation and were re-elected unopposed.
