New Zealand Cricket (NZC) posted a surplus, before grants to associations, of $20.9 million in the 2002/03 financial year, its annual report revealed today.
Chief executive Martin Snedden said he was pleased with the result which underpins NZC's four-year financial cycle.
"This was the first year of a four-year financial cycle andthe result will assist us to deliver on our objectives through the next three years," Snedden said.
"Support of the major and district associations further increased with a total of $6.76 million distributed during this financial year, compared with $5.64 million the previous financial year. The increase primarily related to increased player payments at domestic level and extra funding of NZC's grassroots development programmes.
"In spite of issues such as the players contract process and the Kenyan safety and security issue, 2002/03 was a positive year for NZC."
A highlight during the year was an increase in registered player numbers which showed more than 100,000 people were playing cricket in New Zealand. This number was up from 94,000 participants last season.
