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From The CEO’s Chair - October 2017

Newsletter from Chris Rapson Bay of Plenty Cricket Chief Executive

This week has brought a formal part of Bay of Plenty Cricket, where the Board and myself, report on the past financial and cricket year to stakeholders at the BOPCA Annual General Meeting.

The past twelve months have been highly successful, with Bay of Plenty Cricket winning five ND representative pieces of silverware, participation numbers being at high levels and the BOPCA in sound financial shape for the future

We were all extremely proud of our Women’s Development Officer, Rebecca Yee, who won an award at the New Zealand Cricket Prizegiving. During the evening, Rebecca Yee received the NZC Community Cricket Best Female Engagement Strategy Award. Rebecca is an outstanding individual who is focused on delivery at the highest level possible. The foundations she is building on in the Bay will have good outcomes for all concerned in the years ahead.

Bay of Plenty Cricket Development programmes continue to provide exciting outcomes across the Bay, lead by our Cricket Manager Tai Bridgman-Raison, who drives strong performance from the summer coaching squads. 

Consistent high quality delivery of programmes is what builds the capacity within our region, and the recent success of our teams and individuals can be properly credited to those who delivered our programmes at school and club level many years ago.  We face many challenges (especially geographical and economic) in the Bay of Plenty region, but we are also acutely aware that we have a growing population to cater for.  

Many new New Zealand citizens arriving from foreign shores have taken up residence in the Bay and we have a job to do, to bridge the barriers between established communities to ensure that wherever possible, we can accommodate their strong desire to engage with cricket. Growth and diversity are good problems to deal with; getting the best outcomes is the challenge.

On the playing field, our Bay of Plenty Senior Men’s team successfully defended the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl, contending with weather affected matches in an exciting competition, where the final outcome  came down to the last day of competition. 

The Hawke Cup which was uplifted from Hawkes Bay in the last challenge of the 2015/2016 season, was defended stoutly throughout four challenges from Counties Manukau, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Southland last season.  All matches carried great interest for those who came to watch with some exceptional individual performances recorded. Head coach Graeme Aldridge and the entire coaching and management staff, did a great job over the season and their contribution to the team’s success has been well recognised by the team.  All players chosen to represent their province, in this format, worked exceedingly hard to gain an edge in what is the premier trophy for minor association cricket. 

Further success came, with the Bay of Plenty Development team coached by Charles Williams winning the Basil McBurney Shield and the BOPCA Coastland Senior and Junior Secondary teams annexing their respective ND age-group tournaments

The progression of Graeme Aldridge to the NZ Cricket coaching ranks has seen Charles Williams, who was G’s deputy for the last two seasons, appointed the new BOPCA Senior Men’s team coach. Potsy will be assisted by Russell Williams who will also mentor the Bay of Plenty Development side.