Findlay attributed the growth to a $20,000 boost in gaming grants, an additional first-class fixture, hosting the touring United Arab Emirates side before the Cricket World Cup and "a generous donation from Jon Sayce", a returning visiting umpire from Wales.
A drop in affiliation and ground fees helped and so did the $17,000 boost from the annual Riverbend Cricket Camp for youngsters although the HBCA will seek more help to meet its growth in January.
"It was hard to make money on the bar as games sometimes finished by 2pm so we need to go on until 5-6pm so more fans can come in to support," said Findlay of the premier club games.
The annual pre-season Kilbirnie Sports Twenty20 premier men's tourney tomorrow has been postponed to the following Saturday because of inclement weather.
"We'll have five out-of-town teams, including one comprising 19 to 24-year-olds from Christchurch," he revealed although of the capacity 16 teams only about 10 are likely to be here so as to avoid disrupting their calendar commitments at home after tomorrow's postponement.
In the Bay qualifying round of the Auckland-hosted national knockout cup tourney before Christmas, Cornwall CC and Taradale CC have drawn byes into the second round after their names were pulled out of a hat.
In the first round, Napier Old Boys' Marist will host Havelock North CC while Napier Technical Old Boys will host Central Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park.
Senior female cricket numbers fell "frustratingly" last summer because of the number of drop-outs among school leavers but it is something the HBCA will address this season.
At a men's social competitive level, the AGM heard two hockey teams will trade their kits to play in 30-over competitions although the need to cater for almost 30 returning tertiary students is high on the agenda.
Development manager Dale Smidt disclosed a sizeable spinoff from the success of the Black Caps at the Cricket World Cup staged here and Australia.
"There was more enthusiasm into the season than any other one I've been involved in in the past 10 years in the job because of the world cup," Smidt told the AGM.
He hailed the $20,000 injection into high performance one-on-one coaching from CD to enable Craig Ross and Scott Briasco to provide specialist mentoring to up to 16 players, including Hawke Cup players to a 14-year-old.
Looking at youngsters on the park, Smidt said it was imperative they go through the HBCA structure to ensure they develop correct playing technique such as holding the bat properly.
"In Sport Hawke's Bay's report to be out soon we feature as the best example of how to develop a code through schools."
Former CD rep Stuart Duff, who also coached at age-group level, is standing down from the HBCA board after seven years of service.
Ex-CD Hinds captain/manager Megan Graham was made the first female life member of HBCA.
Graham, who made her debut as Bay women's rep as a 12-year-old Colenso High pupil against Manawatu, played more than 200 games between 1980 and 2000.
"She was the first female member to serve on the male-appointed board when the association brought the women under its umbrella," HBCA president Harry Findlay said.
Graham, who makes MG2 bats with husband Marty in Napier, also played cricket in England and served on the NOBM board committees.
Office bearers
Patron: Sir Selwyn Cushing.
President: Harry Findlay.
Vice-presidents: Les Kennedy, Dave Caldwell, Gary Rose, Russell Sutherland, Bill Duff, John O'Shaughnessy, Del Whyte, Jim Ussher, Kirk Doyle, David Black.
Board members: Stuart Duff and Derek Stirling to retire by rotation, but latter expressed an interest to return and duly did. James Rainger replaces Duff.
Solicitor: Iain Taylor.
Auditor: David Pearson.
