Great backer of women's game

Departing Otago Cricket Association chairman Murray Hughes: ‘‘We’ve got some really good [people] on the board and it is in safe hands.’’ Photo by Gregor Richardson.

Cricket writer Adrian Seconi catches up with the long-serving administrator before he begins a new chapter.

Murray Hughes has a long list of achievements but gardening is not one of them.

According to his wife, Jennie, her husband was in ''the wrong place at the wrong time'' 15 years ago and ''before you knew it he was out of the garden and on to the board''.

Former Otago Cricket Association Ross Dykes warmed up the crowd with that priceless anecdote during the Otago cricket awards in April.

Hughes, who will step down as chairman of the OCA at the organisation's annual general meeting tonight, was presented with the award for outstanding contribution to cricket for his dedicated service as chairman, a board member, a sponsor and as an advocate for women's cricket.

He will receive another honour tonight. Hughes will be made a life member of the OCA and he has certainly earned it.

He has served as president of the association for nine years and has been on the board for 15.

He first got involved as a sponsor with his company, Aotea Electric, in the late 1990s.

''I was just passionate about the game and both the kids were playing and I had previously played as well,'' Hughes responded when asked what initially convinced him to get involved.

Hughes, who played senior cricket for Kaikorai in the early 1980s, was invited to join the board by former OCA chief executive Graeme Elliott a couple of years after getting involved as a sponsor.

''He thought someone with my business skills might help. I had Aotea going pretty well then and I knew Graeme from way back in my cricket playing days.

''I thought I could make a difference. But probably the driving force was my passion for women to get an equal chance. My daughter [Emily, 25] was playing in those days.''

Hughes was quickly pressed into action. He took a lead role in the redevelopment of the University Oval grandstand after the OCA relocated to the venue from Carisbrook in 2004.

He has also been instrumental in the transformation of the University Oval into a wonderful international venue. But it was his advocacy for the women's game which has arguably been his most significant contribution, Dykes said.

''Murray has been the greatest advocate and champion for women's cricket that Otago Cricket has ever had,'' Dykes said.

''And he has ensured that his voice has been heard on this subject at New Zealand Cricket over many years.''

Hughes said watching White Ferns and Otago Sparks captain Suzie Bates progress from promising schoolgirl cricketer to become the best player in the world had been a thrill. But the women's game was still a work in progress.

''New Zealand Cricket are making a big effort,'' Hughes said.

''There is a completely different mindset now. The women's game needs an equal opportunity.''

Hughes, who lives in Alexandra, said he would remain involved in the game but felt the time was right to step down. Fifteen years is ''probably too long ... and it is time for someone fresh''.

His replacement is expected to be named later this week, but his spot on the board will be taken by former Otago Volts manager James Lovelock. It is the only change to the board, although Jason Cushen steps down by rotation but will be re-elected.

While the organisation has reported a deficit of $155,000 for the financial period ending in July, Hughes believes he leaves the OCA in good health.

Almost all of the deficit is down to the cash reserves the OCA put towards the $700,000 upgrade of the embankments at the University Oval to secure the ground's status as an international venue.

''As an MA [major association] we have the least funding opportunities, so we box above our weight and we are creditable in New Zealand Cricket's eyes. That's a big thing.'' Hughes said.

''It has been a difficult year for Otago Cricket with the restructuring and things like that. But we've got some really good [people] on the board and it is in safe hands.''