Ross Dykes took time out from behind his desk at the Otago cricket headquarters to welcome back the Volts at Dunedin Airport yesterday.
But the Otago Cricket Association chief executive plans to be working overtime to capitalise on Otago's success.
The team won its first one-day title in 20 years when it beat Auckland by seven wickets at Eden Park Outer Oval on Sunday, and Dykes believes victory has come at an advantageous time.
‘‘I think it is hugely important that it has come at the time it has,'' he said.
‘‘We've got a new ground established and we've staged a test match here. And we've proved we can play the game domestically as good as anyone else.
‘‘What this does is create a great platform to build and develop the game. And it must make it easier for us to try and get the sponsorship we need to keep the game running at a profit.''
Dykes is keen to maintain the momentum Otago cricket has built during the past couple of summers. Both Sri Lanka and England have played tour matches at the University Oval and the venue staged its first test earlier this year when New Zealand played Bangladesh.
Turning that interest into sponsorship dollars was a challenge, but Dykes believes the overall package is attractive.
And with a test against the West Indies very much on the cards for December or January, Dykes was hopeful some new sponsors would emerge from the woodwork.
‘‘It is not something that is going to happen overnight. We've got to earn sponsor's support.''
Having a shiny trophy in the cabinet and star players such as Brendon McCullum in the team did not hurt, he commented.
Dykes was impressed with the effort the community went to in welcoming back Otago at the airport and was chuffed with the way the region had embraced the team.
‘‘For someone who comes from Auckland to see something like that happening just blows you away.
‘‘I think a lot of people will take a lot of heart from this. You feel part of the community and you feel the community is part of cricket down here. It is a really nice feeling.''
