2023 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 2023 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 58 In relation to the Vitality Blast squad, the Outlaws would benefit from the experience of Colin Munro, replacing some of the knowhow that the retiring Dan Christian previously provided. Mr Moores confirmed, meanwhile, that the club were looking to make use of their other overseas slot for the competition. Last season’s T20 campaign was the most disappointing in his time as Head Coach, Mr Moores said, as the team had looked stale compared to previous seasons. This year, he said that we needed to regain our style of play: being aggressive with the bat, savvy with the ball and dynamic in the field. Mr Moores believed strongly that if Notts got their approach right, they had the quality to win a third Blast title to add to the ones won in 2017 and 2020. The rest of the squad had worked hard this winter, either in overseas tournaments or in the indoor school. All were excited about the challenges ahead, with many younger players hungry for first-team cricket.This was great to see, as it drove the competitive nature of the squad – without competition for places it would be easy to become compla- cent and lose the edge needed to win trophies. Mr Moores hoped all members had wintered well. He was sure every- one was ready to get back toTrent Bridge to connect again with each other, to watch cricket at one of the best grounds in the world, and to share in the ups and downs that every season brings. He concluded by reiterating his thanks for the support of the members – it was truly appreciated. 8. STRATEGIC UPDATE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE The Chief Executive, Lisa Purse- house, began by saying that at the 2022 AGM, she recalled standing up and quietly celebrating the return to a sense of normality following two years of disruption caused by Covid-19. Irrespective of our views on what was now normal, she was sure all in attendance would agree that, seen through a cricket lens, 2022 had been a memorable summer, and that an enthralling new season lay ahead – one during whichTrent Bridge would once again host high quality men’s and women’s cricket across every format of the game. Last year, Notts’ primary objective of securing promotion back to the top division of the County Championship was achieved as the men’s side won the DivisionTwo title.While the Outlaws were unable to progress to the knockout stages of the Blast, securing a quarter-final spot in the Royal London Cup was an achievement for such a young team – and it was fitting to see so many of that squad, who were locally born and developed, taking their opportunity to play white-ball cricket. The first team’s priority for 2023, Ms Pursehouse continued, would be to retain their status in Division One and to compete for silverware across all competitions. In international cricket, England’s exhilarating performances under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum were breathing new life into the national team’s standing in the Test format. Never was that more evident than with the remarkable scenes at Trent Bridge last June. England’s boldness and ingenuity were to be celebrated. Stuart Broad and Ben Duckett had been key contributors to what had been achieved, and the club were also delighted with the call- ups of Liam Patterson-White, Lyndon James and Haseeb Hameed for the England Lions at regular junctures throughout the year. Notts’ determination to produce and develop players that could contribute at elite level remained resolute. As the men and women of Trent Rockets calledTrent Bridge home for the second year, our audiences grew, with 38% of attendees travelling in excess of 30 miles to witness those matches. Three of the venue’s four match- days were sold out, with a strong trend towards female attendees and children in the crowd.The Chief Executive said that this new and family audience was great news for the long-term future of the game. Seeing the women reach the Eliminator and witnessing the heroics of Nat Sciver-Brunt was a particular highlight, only surpassed by seeing Trent Rockets’ men lift the trophy at Lord’s, bringing home the most extravagant trophy the Chief Executive had ever seen! Whilst no-one could doubt that the players of Notts, England andTrent Rockets had fulfilled their role in the last 18 months, the staff and volunteers had also invested whole- heartedly into the customer experience delivered at Trent Bridge. That we were rated as offering the best experience in the country for both international cricket andThe Hundred (as determined by attendees at matches across the summer) was testament to our workforce’s skill, experience and determination to deliver.The Chief Executive gave her thanks to every one of them. Winning those customer experience accolades demonstrated the club’s commitment to welcoming every- one, irrespective of the format of cricket they chose to watch – from longstanding, traditional Test Match supporters to those children and families experiencing cricket for the first time. A warm and friendly welcome was, and would remain, part of the organisation’s culture. Everyone at Trent Bridge had always counted themselves fortunate for the support received year after year, and were thankful to all of those who had helped us build a business and club that was strong enough to hold itself together in the face of turbulent times, such as those experienced during the pandemic. However, Ms Pursehouse went on to observe that the return to ‘normality’ had been far from straightforward for all.