CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 MAKING CRICKET MAINSTREAM Members of Cricket Ireland c/o Unit 15C, Kinsealy Business Park Kinsealy Co Dublin K36CD70 Ireland 6 July 2020 Dear Members, We are pleased to present the Cricket Ireland Annual Report 2019 – providing an overview of the financial and operational achievements of Cricket Ireland (also known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee). Best wishes Ross McCollum Warren Deutrom Chairman Chief Executive Cricket Ireland Cricket Ireland 01 CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 1 OVERVIEW About Cricket Ireland 4 Chair’s Report 5 Chief Executive’s Report 6 2 PERFORMANCE REPORTS High Performance 8 Participation 13 Commercial 15 3 FINANCIALS Finance Committee 17 Financial Statements 18 CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 02 1 OVERVIEW 03 CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 ABOUT CRICKET IRELAND Cricket Ireland is the national governing body for the sport of cricket in Ireland. It is responsible for setting the strategic direction and the national administration of cricket on the island of Ireland. Cricket Ireland (also known as “The Irish NATIONAL RE-EMERGENCE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee”) was established in 1923, Proper competitive national fixtures There are 12 Directors on the Board of with a brief to organise the national began for Ireland in 1980 with entry to Cricket Ireland, five of which are squad, primarily arranging fixtures the English Gillette Cup, and while it independent. There are also five against the Scotland and the English was a long road to becoming a provincial bodies who have MCC, as well as occasional visits by competitive side, everything changed responsibility for the game in their English Counties and Test teams. at the national level as a result of respective regions. Four standing Ireland’s performance at the 2007 ICC committees also provide strategic Cricket World Cup. oversight of the high performance, BRIEF HISTORY cricket operations, governance and Entering the tournament proper after finance of the business. Since 1792, cricket has been played in success in the qualification stage, Ireland, when the Military of Ireland and Ireland went on to defeat Pakistan and the Gentlemen of Ireland took each Bangladesh, and tie against Zimbabwe other on in the Phoenix Park, where the on the biggest stage of all – this was game still thrives in one of the world’s seen as unprecedented for an oldest established cricket clubs. Associate Member country. By the mid-1850’s the game had Subsequent appearances at the 2011 expanded to the point where it was the and 2015 Cricket World Cups further largest and most popular sport in the consolidated Ireland’s credentials as an country. Its success was such that the emerging force, defeating England and first team to represent Ireland beat West Indies respectively along the way. their English counterparts in 1855. The game went into decline towards the end of the century, largely a victim of FULL MEMBERSHIP politics and class, although it continued in the north of the country and in the On 22 June 2017 the ICC announced heartlands of central and northern that Ireland had been granted Full Dublin. Any thoughts of resurgence in Membership status and had become a the sport was restricted greatly when fully-fledged Test Match playing nation. the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) introduced Law 27 in 1902, banning This granted Ireland Test status and GAA players from either participating allowed the organisation to join the ICC or even watching the so-called ‘English Future Tours Programme. sports’ of football, rugby or cricket. The ban lasted for more than 70 years. CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 04 CHAIR’S REPORT 2019 was a memorable year for cricket in Ireland for many reasons – however, not one without its challenges. After the heights of the previous year, Ireland announced the first-ever player members, and the fans of Irish cricket – which included our inaugural men’s contracts for women in April. both at home and abroad – who make Test match and two sell-out matches this all worthwhile with their energy against India that became the most A review of women’s international and enthusiasm. watched event by a global television cricket following the 2018 T20 World audience ever staged in Ireland, there Cup brought about a range of changes One last group I do want to particularly were some questions about whether – including a new Head Coach – but the pay tribute to is the army of volunteers the organisation could exceed these opportunity to introduce the first who give so graciously of their time historic moments. Arguably, 2019 women’s contracts was game changing and effort. Without you, we simply exceeded the previous 12 months on in its potential. could not survive and grow as a sport. almost every measure. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Hand-in-glove with the forthcoming Warren Deutrom and the staff of On the field we witnessed: Women & Girls Cricket Strategy, I hope Cricket Ireland for their tireless and the senior men’s team playing its moments like that are looked back on high-quality work, and also to first Test Match against England at in years to come as turning points in acknowledge the outgoing President Lord’s – as memorable an occasion the women’s game. We know we have David O’Connor, who delivered on the as any for Irish cricket fans; much more to do, but the symbolic duties of the position with utmost the senior men’s qualifying for the nature of the contract offers should respect and good nature. T20 World Cup 2020; signal the intention of Cricket Ireland to the senior men’s team beating a Full professionalise the game over coming David will be succeeded by Philip Member (Zimbabwe) in a home years. Black, a man with a long and engaged series for the first time, and winning history within the sport, and someone the GS Holding T20 Tri-Series Decisions made throughout any given who will undoubtedly carry on the against Scotland and Netherlands; year by Boards are often complex, mantle in what is set to be another big the senior women’s team compete long-term in nature and can be year for Irish cricket. admirably against the West Indies vigorously debated – however one at home with a new cohort of thing is clear for Cricket Ireland’s Ross McCollum young players beginning to make Directors – our decisions are made in Chair their mark on the international the best interests, sustainability and stage; growth of the sport in Ireland. There is the Leinster Lightning reclaiming no doubt that we have had, and will their first Inter-Provincial continue to have, growing pains as we Championship, but the Northern seek to push forward with our Knights dominating the T20 objectives, but if you look back at the competition; journey we have taken as a sport over the Dragons going back-to-back the last decade, I believe we are on the with the Super 3s title; and right course. three hard-fought all-Ireland cup competitions, which included In achieving this, though, we Pembroke winning its first Clear acknowledge that we do this in Currency Irish Senior Cup. partnership with many others, including the International Cricket Council, the Off the field there were numerous Irish Government and NI Executive, challenges and financial headwinds Sport Ireland and Sport Northern that buffeted the organisation, Ireland, our sponsors and commercial however, one of the proudest moments partners, the Provincial Unions and the of achievement was when Cricket many clubs around Ireland, our 05 CRICKET IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT 2019 was a remarkable year for Irish cricket. With the memories created on the field, and the decisions made off it, the year will no doubt be seen in time as a great leap forward for Cricket Ireland in fulfilling our new obligations as a Full Member and growing our great game here in Ireland. Personally speaking, I wasn’t sure that the Ireland Wolves touring Sri a common purpose and common any moment in Irish cricket could Lanka, and beating two Full direction. This, of course, is backed by match the spine-tingling scene of Tim Member teams (Bangladesh and our commercial partners, supported by Murtagh bowling that first-ever ball in Zimbabwe); the ICC, the Irish Government, Sport men’s Test match cricket for Ireland in two Irish batters were the top 2 in Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland, and 2018. I was wrong. the annual run-scoring list of T20I’s; delivered for the fans – both at home the Ireland Women’s senior team and abroad. Just over 12 months after Tim bowled competing well against a strong that historic ball at Malahide, the very visiting West Indian side, with over To our Board, led tirelessly by Chairman same man was running in at Lord’s 750,000 viewers logging on to Ross McCollum, the many Committee Cricket Ground to deliver the first ball in watch the livestream of the series; members and other stakeholders an Ireland v England Test match at the receiving “NGB of the Year” at the within the game who continue to Home of Cricket. And yet, that first ball Irish Sport Awards; voluntarily dedicate much time towards could not provide a sense of what seeing domestic successes for growing our sport, I simply say thank would come over the next two hours. Leinster Lightning and Northern you for your guidance and support. Knights in the Inter-Pros, while the By the time the teams walked off for Dragons claimed back-to-back titles To my own team in Cricket Ireland, you lunch, Tim had his name on the Lord’s in the Super 3s; and have made Irish cricket what it is today, Honours Board.