Trent Bridge Annual Report 2018

MINUTES OF THE 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 13 the squad in a positive way. This promotion was well-deserved for a player who continued to improve and had been a key player across all formats over recent seasons, Mr Moores was looking forward to working with him through the season, along with all the support staff who had added so much over the past 12 months. This, along with the addition of new faces in Coughlin and Nash, would help replace the loss of several players and both would add much to the squad, and further opportunities for young players would, hopefully, set the scene for another exciting season. He went on to report that the signing of an overseas player was imminent and the challenge was to be clear on the areas needed to strengthen. Recent events had clarified that an overseas batsman would be the best fit at the current time. In closing, Mr Moores stated that his message to the players would be the same. The responsibility would be to give it their all and be up for every day knowing they were representing a great Club. No one could guarantee winning, but commitment, desire and enthusiasm was within their control. He stated that it was a privilege to play at such an iconic ground, and thanked the members for their wonderful support in 2017. Mr Newell then asked the members for any questions. Ms Diana Peasey asked if Mr Newell and Mr Moores had been surprised by Alex Hales’ decision? Mr Newell replied that he had not been completely surprised. With so many overseas domestic tournaments, players with Alex’s skills could play all over the world. From a batting perspective the Club knew the team was a little light, but it would continue to investigate all options. Mr Moores agreed that the team had lost a number of experienced batsmen in the previous two years and, undoubtedly, there was a shortage of depth in batting resources. Mr P Quinn queried the decision to send its bowlers and Academy players for pre-season practice to a ‘war zone’ like Oman? Mr Moores assured him that if the area had not been safe they would not have been sent there. The facilities were good and he had been reliably informed that it was very safe, and an excellent place to go for good practice. The best way to learn, he believed, was to play with other cricketers who were better than themselves. Mr Tennant thanked Mr Newell and Mr Moores for their report, and on behalf of everyone at the Club wished the players all the very best for 2018. 7. STRATEGIC REPORT FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Like the Chairman, Ms Pursehouse stated that she had been tempted to start her report with a repeat of her opening from the previous year, considering the impact that change was likely to have on the Club’s business. But instead, she had decided to ask the question – ‘what is our business?’ Trent Bridge is a Test Match venue and a leading County Cricket Club. Both of those elements were fundamental pillars of its identity which were equally important to its financial sustainability and on-going success. She believed she spoke for the majority of the members when she said she had no desire to be one without the other. Yet, looking back to the same time the previous year, the Club had found themselves facing a number of challenges that affected both of those important strands - having just been relegated to Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship after nine consecutive years in the top flight. Secondly, and despite delivering an above budget result, a record loss had been posted by the Club having been omitted from the Test schedule in 2016. It was also known that there was no certainty of supply for bilateral cricket post 2018 and at some point during the year a bid would have to be produced to ensure Trent Bridge retained its status as a Test Match venue. Despite all of that, Ms Pursehouse asked the members to be optimistic and to continue giving their support as difficult decisions were made and everyone re-grouped as a team, on and off the field, to meet Alex Hales