Western Province Cricket Club, who finished second to premier league champions Durbanville Cricket Club in 2014-15, have announced their executive committee for the 2015-16 season – and a substantial financial loss.
The club will also field teams in the Western Province Cricket Association’s reserve league A, B and G – and third division A – this season.
Brendan Commins will enter his seventh and final year as club captain, while Neil Strybis has been retained as chairman – and will be supported by vice-chairman Duncan de Groot.
Ground and suite rental deficits, sponsorship shortfalls and other mitigating circumstances, meanwhile, led to a substantial decline in commercial income.
“Serious focus and energy had been put into looking for revenue lines for the club. With all factors taken into consideration, we have made a R500,000 loss,” revealed de Groot, who leads the management of WPCC’s finances.
“We have undertaken a thorough budgeting process and propose a budget that shows a small profit. The budget, however, shows an operating loss. It is never optimal to budget for this, but after two years of challenging conditions and events, it is important to get some momentum in the right direction, upwards.”
Western Province Cricket Club – and Cape Town Cricket Club – are the only two clubs in the Western Cape to enjoy more than 150 years in existence.