MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia has declared an operating surplus of A$8.3 million ($5.88 million) for the 2017-18 financial year. This also marks the first year of the four-year budget cycle which CA created to account for fluctuations in international broadcast revenue.
Compared with an operating deficit of $50.8 million last financial year, the results are in line with budgetary expectations and CA’s four-year, Long Range Plan (LRP), it was announced at Wednesday’s annual general meeting, where members were also informed that the first 12 months of the five-year strategy has resulted in “critical milestones for the game”.
Domestically, a significant highlight was the return of FOX SPORTS as a broadcast partner as well as Seven West Media as cricket’s free-to-air partner, with the broadcast rights negotiation resulting in a new agreement worth A$1.182 billion ($840 million) over a six-year period.
The new broadcast deal has allowed CA to allocate A$35 million ($24.8 million) over the next three years to grow and support community cricket, building from the foundations laid over the last 12 months.
The 2017-18 National Cricket Census showed 1,558,821 Australians engaged in cricket competitions or programs – an increase of 9% from the previous year.
30% of cricket’s participants are now female, whilst six in every 10 new participants are female, one of the highest year-on-year participation growth figures CA has experienced.
More than 2.3 million people attended cricket during the 2017-18 summer, witnessing both men’s and women’s Ashes secured, surpassing the record of 1.8 million set in 2016-17.
Speaking on the results of the past year, CA chairman David Peever said: “It is with pleasure that I present the 2017-18 annual report for Cricket Australia. It has been 12 months since Australian cricket unveiled its new five-year strategy. A strategy that places more emphasis on participants and volunteers as well as cricket experiences for fans than ever before.
“Overall, the past year has heralded another year of strong financial performance for Australian cricket, and in April we were pleased to announce a new six-year broadcast rights agreement with the Seven Network and Fox Sports.
“This strong financial position has enabled CA to commit record levels of investment in community cricket, highlighted by our recent announcement of A$35 million into grassroots cricket over the next three years.
“It is critical that we continue to invest in the grassroots of our game to support cricket’s expanding participant base growth, and that is exactly what this $35 million investment will do.”
Peever also paid tribute to departing CEO James Sutherland: “As many of you know, today is James’ last day as CEO of Cricket Australia. On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank James for his service, and take this opportunity to make a few reflections on what has been an outstanding tenure as CEO over more than 17 years.
“So much in world cricket and Australian cricket has changed during this time, but due to his stewardship Australian cricket is in a great position to continue to succeed over the next 20 years. James leaves a strong foundation to meet the future demands of our game, and his achievements do not go unrecognised.
“In almost every measure, James’ tenure has been truly remarkable and has taken cricket to new heights and we wish James well for whatever the future brings, and welcome Kevin Roberts as his successor.
Sutherland added: “It has been an absolute privilege to work for cricket.
“Cricket is a game that has always meant so much to so many Australians.
“Indeed, as we have often discussed, there was an Australian Cricket Team before there was an Australian nation. In many ways cricket helped to define Australia as a nation.
“More than ever before, our sport is a game for all Australians, young and old, male and female, regardless of national or cultural background.
“As we know, it is an issues-rich sport, with frequent controversies and occasional disappointments. The public’s deep affection for the game is not taken for granted, but as we have seen over the years, it does ensure that the sport is resilient in the face of difficult times.
“Away from the public eye, we have seen cricket’s administration adopt a one-team mindset nationally, together with our state and territory associations, and under the guidance of a board of independent directors.
“This has been no easy task, but through a spirit of collaboration cricket is all the better for having done it and we now work collectively with an aligned interest in the national strategy.
“It has been a great honour, and a continuing education, to work with a range of chairmen and dedicated directors, to work with so many professional staff at CA and across the states and territories, and to meet and get to know so many passionate and effective community volunteers.
“Cricket has changed almost constantly since it was first played centuries ago – and indeed during my 20 years at Cricket Australia.
“My successors and in turn, their successors, will need to remain focused on the changing needs of Australian society as our nation continues to evolve, but in a manner that remains true to our cricket community and the spirit of cricket.
“Cricket has a bright and exciting future ahead of it – and I am confident that cricket will over the coming decade continue to enhance its status as Australia’s favourite sport and a sport for all Australians.”
