Rex Smith made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Rex Smith, the current Chairman of the Auckland Cricket Association, has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket in the New Years Honours list announced today.

Rex Smith has dedicated much of his life to the service of cricket in Auckland, both with Auckland Cricket and Cornwall.

He has been on the Board of Directors of Auckland Cricket for 16 years and has been Chair of that for a combined total of 11 years, a position which he still currently holds.

During that period Auckland Cricket’s elite representative teams the Mondiale Aces and Auckland Hearts have had regular national success, Auckland’s age-group teams have been one of the dominant forces in the country and the structure and sustainability of cricket clubs in Auckland has been developed immeasurably by the growth of the Club is the Hub programme.

He has been one of the driving forces behind this programme that gives financial support to cricket clubs in Auckland and enables them to be run professionally whilst assisting them in creating sustainability around their structures.

The programme has been a gold standard model for sport administration in New Zealand and Rex has led the push to progressively increase funding to clubs. That has directly led to increased opportunities for cricketers and increases in playing numbers.

He has also been a representative on the Eden Park Trust Board (formerly Eden Park Board of Control) for 14 years and contributed a huge amount as the Park has gone through one of the most complex and revolutionary periods in terms of governance in its history.

In addition Rex has been heavily involved with Cornwall Cricket as a Board member and most notably Premier Coach for 26 years.

Through his contribution to Cornwall he has guided almost an entire generation of cricketers through their Premier playing experience and been an integral part of a club that is the largest in New Zealand with a membership of over 1400.

CEO of Auckland Cricket Mark Cameron applauded the decision and commented that it was an honour richly deserved.

“Rex has given much of his life to the betterment of cricket in Auckland. He has contributed an incredible amount as a coach, selector, board member and as an advocate for cricket at Eden Park.

Most of what he has done for cricket has happened behind closed doors and does not get the recognition that it should. Which is why it is so pleasing to see this honour awarded to him - it is one that is probably long overdue in properly recognising the contribution Rex has made to cricket here in Auckland.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media