NZC is committed to developing the depth and capability of female leaders and female-focused leaders across the cricket network, through providing and facilitating development opportunities at all levels of the sport.
The Female Leadership Development Framework is a key aspect of NZC and Sport NZ’s ‘Strengthen & Adapt’ partnership. It is focused on amplifying and enhancing the off-field visibility and capability of females, and those focused on championing and developing females, across the key areas of governance, administration, umpiring and coaching.
Underpinned by our vision ‘a game for all New Zealanders; a game for life’, a key factor to our success is ‘normalising’ female involvement in all aspects of cricket and developing leaders who are capable, visible and active across the cricket network.
Female Leadership Development Framework Overview
Contestable Fund
The Contestable Fund is one of the key initiatives in the Female Leadership Development Framework which aims to encourage locally-led activity, with national support. Under this initiative, funding is available to Major Associations, District Associations, Clubs or Schools on an annual basis. The contestable fund successfully commenced during the 2021/22 season, with ten leadership development initiatives supported throughout New Zealand.
From Women Who Lead workshops to Young Leaders Programmes and Female Coaching Academy’s, a variety of initiatives received contestable funding during the 21/22 season. Find out more about the ten initiatives that were delivered across Aotearoa during the 2021/22 season
The 2022/23 season is an opportunity to continue to build on this momentum and support initiatives that develop the leadership capabilities of female staff, or female-focused staff within the cricket network. A full overview of the Contestable Fund aswell as the 22/23 season application form is below:
Contestable Fund Application Form
Check out two female youth leadership programmes delivered during the 21/22 season by Cricket Wellington and Otago Cricket.
Cricket Wellington Young Leaders
Following on from its inaugural season in 20/21, Cricket Wellington again ran their Young Leaders Programme which received funding from the contestable fund, check out the video:
Otago Cricket Suzie Bates Leaders Course
Commencing during the 21/22 season, Otago Cricket delivered the ‘Suzie Bates Leaders Course’, a leadership programme for females aged 15-20 years old which also received funding from the contestable fund, check out the video:
Aspiring Female Umpire Development Programme
Centered around the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, the Aspiring Female Umpire Development Programme commenced during the 21/22 season and provides development opportunities to female umpires and bridges the gap between community cricket appointments and domestic cricket appointments.
The 21/22 season Aspiring Female Umpires Programme involved seven female umpires, each appointed to a Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match as a Reserve Umpire. Umpires were given the opportunity to work closely alongside the match umpires, observing and learning from them around the different methods, routines and processes they adopt.
A full overview of the inaugural Aspiring Female Umpire Development Programme can be found below: Aspiring Female Umpire Programme 21-22
The programme will return during the 22/23 season and will look to build on the momentum with some exciting new additions. NZ Cricket will be working with Major Associations, to ensure aspiring female umpires are observed locally throughout the season and provided with feedback and development opportunities to improve their skills.
Check back here soon to learn more about the 22/23 Aspiring Female Umpires Programme and those that are involved!
Find out more about the first female match referee, Sue Morris:
