HB Cricket bestows life membership on David Black

Cricket stalwart David Black (left) receives life membership from HBCA president Harry Findlay at the Bob McInnes Pavilion at Nelson Park, Napier, on Thursday last week. Photo/supplied

The Hawke's Bay Cricket Association has bestowed a life membership on stalwart David Black.

Black, who joined the Hawke's Bay Junior Cricket Board in the summer of 1985-86, went on to serve at various HBCA and Central Districts Cricket Association committees and boards.

"He was a very valued member of all the committees he worked on. He was willing to take on many responsibilities that would help promote the game of cricket in Hawke's Bay," said HBCA president and fellow life member Harry Findlay in nominating the 68-year-old from Havelock North at the association's 135th annual meeting in Napier last Thursday.

Black also was a former director of cricket at Cornwall Cricket Club in Hastings. He retired from all cricketing activities last year.

The AGM, held in the Bob McInnes Pavilion at Nelson Park, also adopted a new four-year strategic plan which led to a restructure and employment of Craig Ross as high performance operations manager.

"We had a small surplus of $7000 mainly due to the increase in teams attending cricket camp and a small increase in sponsorship and trust funding," said HBCA chief executive Craig Findlay.

HBCA board chairman Phil Chandler told the meeting game development, financial success, leadership and communication, and high performance were the pillars of the four-year plan.

Chandler thanked the community trusts for their vital role in growing the game at all levels.

"Without their support, we would struggle to offer the product at the depth and breadth that we are currently able to," he said. "The association now has close to $200,000 in cash reserves, if we include the $55,000 held in trust. Our financial goal is to build a reserve figure of $500,000 within 10 years," Chandler said, revealing the annual Hawke's Bay Riverbend Cricket Camp also added to the coffers.

The AGM acknowledged the death of life member Russell Robinson. It also lauded Bay senior men's rep coach Colin Schaw for winning the Hawke Cup last summer.