160 and not out - what a great record, and one that your Club will achieve this year. HKCC is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Asia Pacific with a thriving membership, active both on and off the field. There will be a number of celebrations to mark this milestone in the Club’s history and I am particularly delighted that we will have both the Melbourne and the Marylebone Cricket Clubs joining us over the Easter break to compete in various sports and to help us celebrate our Anniversary.

The reciprocal relationship with both these prestigious Clubs grows from strength to strength. In January, your Club had a 70 strong touring party visit Melbourne to be hosted by the MCC and compete in cricket, squash, golf, tennis, hockey and netball. As noted in the MCC news “it was an extremely successful tour showcasing the sporting pursuits of the Clubs, with some fantastic battles across the six sports.” What was also pleasing to note was the admission in the MCC news that, “Our cricketers suffered a heavy defeat in their match at the MCG…copping an eight wicket hiding in a high quality display by the visitors [HKCC].” I believe this was HKCC’s first ever win on that hallowed turf.

Following a year of construction, we started 2010 with the opening of further new facilities, being the new Sports Hall and the Cricket Centre. These have proved a great success, with the Hawk-Eye coaching system enabling our cricketers to further improve their skills. We were honoured to have the President of the International Cricket Council, Mr David Morgan, and the CEO of the Asian Cricket Council, Mr Syed Ashraful Huq, visit this new Centre shortly after its opening.

The year also saw the Club hosting the first China National Cricket XI at the Gap. I’m sure we won’t have to wait another 160 years for the next one!

We finished 2010 with sound financial results, a healthy balance sheet, and a membership waiting list which demonstrates the popularity of the Club. It has been another successful year for the Club and its downtown Restaurant and Bar, Dot Cod.

The success of your Club could not be achieved without the dedication and hard work of your Committee and the Management and Staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the commitment they have given to ensure the success of the Club and the smooth running of all that goes on behind the scenes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony Melloy, who is stepping down from his role as Chairman after nearly five and a half years at the crease. Tony has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Club has grown from strength to strength, supporting all our sporting sides, increasing and improving our facilities and infrastructure and ensuring HKCC is properly represented in the cricket arena. The new Chairperson will have big shoes to fill, in every respect.

John Harrison
President