New WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson says he is heartened by the present state of cricket in Western Australia.
New WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson says he is heartened by the present state of cricket in Western Australia.
Mr Stephenson, who was appointed as Christina Matthews’ successor in July, officially began his role last month, after relocating from the UK.
The respected cricket administrator, who spent 17 years working at the Lords-based Marylebone Cricket Club and as Essex County Cricket Club CEO, also played one Test for England in 1989.
“It’s been incredible because I’ve landed at the right time with so many events going on,” he told Business News.
“With the one day international, Test match, women’s Big Bash League and leading up to the men’s BBL.
“There’s been so much activity – not just at the cricket, but around the fringes, with the collaborative approach we’ve had with the {state} government and Tourism WA.
“And the lead up to the India Test… there’s been so much going on, which has been great, because it has allowed me to become immersed in WA cricket and the business straight away.”
Mr Stephenson is also a fan of the $168.9 million WACA ground improvement project, which is due for practical completion in September next year.
“When I came over in September for the pre-visit, that project was just emerging from the ground,” he told Business News.
“But now, only six weeks later… you can see it is over 50 per cent complete.
“There’s water in the swimming pool and you can now see where everything is going to be. And I think it just shows what an amazing project it is.
“I’ve been very encouraged by the progress over the last couple of months.”
WA Cricket generated a total comprehensive income {net profit} of $43.3 million during the 2024 financial year, up from $3.5 million in 2023.
This result was impacted by a series of capital grants in relation to the ground improvement project, which were recognised as revenue during the 2024 financial year in accordance with accounting standards.
WA Cricket’s net result aside from project-related income was a net loss of $1.6 million, down from a net surplus of $1.2 million in 2023.
The state governing body generated $37.4 million in cricket revenue throughout the year, along with $6 million courtesy of members subscriptions.
As of June 30 2024, WA Cricket had $36.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, along with $60.4 million in total accumulated funds.
Upon Mr Stephenson being officially introduced to stakeholders at the 2024-25 season launch in September at Kings Park, he said he believed the organisation’s finances were in good shape, however would take a “forensic look” at the books upon being settled into the role.
“Obviously, I’m still going to be having a good look at the finances once this period settles after we’ve delivered the men’s BBL and look at where we are,” Mr Stephenson told Business News.
“They are (company’s books) are in good shape. Some of that is attributable to some of the money coming in from state government for the ground re-development, which will be money which comes in and comes out.
“But overall, I think WA Cricket is in good shape and we’ll be looking to make sure this is the case as we go into the future – and what we call “WACA 2.0”, to make sure we’re set up for our sustainable success financially and to deliver the programs we need for the community out of that project, which is so important.”
Despite the peak of cricket season occurring during the festive season, the WA Cricket boss said his family was excited to experience their first Christmas in WA.
“The family have just arrived – and just at the right time actually,” Mr Stephenson told Business News.
“It’s obviously really busy around Christmas cricket-wise, but we are definitely going to carve out some time, to as you say, go down south, which we are really looking forward to, and also Rottnest Island, which obviously looks incredible.”
