Dear Members,

I am delighted to report that our Cricket Tour of South Africa over Chinese New Year was a fantastic experience where we were treated to wonderful hospitality, great weather and the breathtaking beauty of Cape Town. The trip reinforced to me the many good things sport tours can bring and why we play the game, aside from the contest and going out to do your best for your team, it is in a big way about the shared experience and the bond special circumstance brings. I was particularly proud of what excellent ambassadors the tour party were and did the HKCC name proud, they showed once again that Hong Kong attracts special people who together have a wonderful ability to punch above their weight on the sporting field and are world leaders in knowing how to have a good time. We made many friends who I hope will be able to visit us here and thus strengthen our international ties.

At home, our teams are showing good fight for the various titles and trust the Year of the Snake will be happy, healthy and successful for all our sports men and women.

In the past month we have seen our men’s lawn bowlers gain promotion in the winter leagues and our rugby men did ourselves proud with 3 teams in the finals and a win for the 3rds, but a heart wrenching one point margin meant defeat for our first XV, we now look forward to the next opportunity. Excitement is building for the Rugby 7’s and we wish the HK team well and a no doubt a big fun filled week for the rest of us.

It is a great pleasure to see Rick Coate our new General Manager settling in so very well. I know many of you have already met him and would observe that he is most eager and highly motivated towards making our Club even better for us all. He is working busily with the management team and our wonderful staff towards enhancing our facilities with the new kitchens and swimming pool refurbishment. With your support and encouragement I am sure you will all join me in wishing Rick the very best and that he and his family all enjoy a happy and rewarding life here at the Hong Kong Cricket Club.

One important task now in progress is an operational and facilities review with the intent of establishing a longer strategic view on how we may move forward from here and with Members help will look to consider the opportunities and challenges the future may present.

We celebrated our annual Staff Dinner in early March and there thanked the staff and management for their good work over the last year and encouraged them to strive for even higher levels of service and consistency and also committed to continue in investing in them with the aim of improving the Club in all aspects.

We are now preparing our accounts for the AGM due in May and whilst not a stellar year due to reduced income on debenture sales, some additional capital costs and expenses overall the accounts remain healthy. Our operating targets have for the first few months of this year also been met. We will however have to face inflating food and beverage costs this year but shall to ensure we continue to offer good value and the best prices to Members.

The humidity has arrived and with that enjoy the brief breather before the summer!

Gavin Erasmus

Chairman