At its Annual General Meeting this week, the Western Province Cricket Association announced a profit of R1,762m for the 2011/12 financial year, against a prior-year loss of R919, 000. Revenue increased by R3,3m while expenses remained in line. Debt was reduced by R1,2m. The WPCA also improved its Balance Sheet position by revaluating the land value of the Newlands Stadium resulting in an increase of property, plant and equipment from R62m to R88m.

Noting that the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras had won their fifth trophy in four seasons and produced new stars such as Vernon Philander and Richard Levi at international level, the President Beresford Williams also announced a focus on grassroots cricket in the coming season.  

An allocation of R500 000 has been set aside to help with worthy projects at club level.The WPCA is, moreover, hoping to announce a new sponsor for the club leagues this season. A weekly tv series on Cape Town community TV will also kick off soon, and the WPCA has entered an agreement with Die Son newspaper to increase club cricket’s profile in the print media. Finally, application has been made to the new transformation fund of Cricket South Africa to increase by more than one hundred the numbers of scorers, umpires and coaches amongst women and in African areas. The above will come on top of the R7 million already budgeted for amateur cricket in the province. The President also mentioned that constructive negotiations were underway with the City to improve club facilities, which are crucial to keeping the grassroots game strong.

Issued on behalf of WPCA by Prof. Andre Odendaal (CEO).
Enquiries to Ameena Smith (Company Secretary) : Ameenas@cricket.co.za