Otago Cricket honoured six new Life and Honorary Members at its 146th Annual General Meeting tonight. The revision of the OCA Constitution in 2021 saw the introduction of a new honorary member category; a category that reflects the contribution made by past players and coaches who have also made other contributions to the game, as well as administrators whose contribution and service warranted inclusion in this new category. 

The Association announced an $85,134 surplus for the 2021-22 financial year, while Liane Topham-Kindley and Nathan Pitcher were re-appointed to the Board for a 2nd term with Nathan McCullum being appointed to the Board for a first term, having served a 1-year term as an aspiring director.  

CEO Mike Coggan reflected on the continued improvement in financial landscape. “It is very pleasing to continue to deliver surpluses while we continue to invest appropriately in both community and performance cricket. We have seen the impact that the temporary marquee has had on preseason preparation of our performance teams, and it is vitally important we financially meet our mid 2024 timeline for completion of our permanent facility at Tonga Park, an indoor centre that will house 20 grass and 4 artificial surfaces. Having appropriate levels of working capital is fundamental to the success of this priority project”.         

Patron & OCA Life Member Nick Smith presented life membership to John Ward while President and OCA Life member Stuart Heal presented life membership to Brendon McCullum. Four Honorary memberships were presented with Stuart Heal presenting Mike Hesson, former President, Chairman and OCA Life Member Murray Hughes presenting membership to Katey Martin, OCA Life Member and former Otago Country Chairman Malcolm Jones presenting to Helen Simpson and Nick Smith presenting membership to Craig Cumming. 

OCA Chairman Shane Robinson reflected with pride, on the positive progress being made at Otago Cricket, including the quality of individuals that are being recognised for their contribution, success, and long association with OCA. “I am very proud of the contribution that our Board and staff are making to grow cricket across our region. Covid aside, we are seeing many signs of excellent progress across both our community and professional game. It is with great pleasure that people that have played a significant role in our past have been recognised for their outstanding contribution. Congratulations John and Brendon on receiving Life Membership and Katey, Helen, Craig, and Mike on your honorary memberships. These honours are richly deserved”. 

John Ward (Board President 2013 – 2017) and Director (2002 – 2007) was made a Life Member for his outstanding contribution to Otago Cricket over many years. John’s business acumen and community outreach was the catalyst for the redevelopment of the University of Otago Oval grandstand as well as long standing and continuing commercial partnerships. John has served as President and Chairman of Southland Cricket Association and is a Life Member of Marist Cricket Club (Invercargill).

Brendon McCullum (ONZM) was made a Life Member of Otago Cricket for his global contribution to cricket, a contribution that has had an enormous positive influence on cricket players and fans across Otago, Southland and New Zealand. Brendon’s skill, influence and success as a player and captain for Otago and New Zealand, encouraged a new generation of players and followers and he has continued his influence through international coaching and broadcasting.  

Former players, and Otago greats, Katey Martin and Craig Cumming were honoured with Honorary membership for their contribution to Otago Cricket as players and leaders over many years, together with their other contributions and ambassadorship of cricket across Otago, Southland, and New Zealand.      

Between 2001 – 2022 Katey Martin amassed 6,459 runs, 172 catches and 90 stumpings in the blue and gold.  Across 199 matches for the WHITEFERNS between 2003 – 2022 she scored just under 3,000 runs and took 139 combined catches and stumpings. 

Cumming, a BLACKCAP between 2003 – 2009 remains Otago’s highest first class run scorer, accumulating 6,589 runs between 2000 – 2012, 9142 first class runs in total and a total 13,695 runs in all formats across 338 matches. 

Mike Hesson held a long and successful association with Otago Cricket from 2000 – 2012 as director of coaching and Otago Volts coach before his appointment as BLACKCAPS coach where he had a successful term from 2012 – 2018. His contributions global continue to reflect positively on Otago, Southland, and New Zealand. 

Helen Simpson was honoured for a lifetime devotion to Otago Cricket Umpires and Scorers, through her officiating as a scorer at both club level and domestic level. 

Shane Robinson concluded the event by saying "On behalf of the Board of Otago Cricket, we publicly acknowledged the contribution of Rachel Pullar who did not seek re-appointment to the Board for a 2nd term and Malcolm Jones who, in September stepped down as Chairman and Board member of Otago Country Cricket Association, after 18 years of service".    

The Otago Cricket Association would like to again say congratualtions to those who received life and honourary memberships. 

Article added: Wednesday 26 October 2022