Exciting initiatives aimed at supporting the development of women in off-field leadership roles are to be launched following the announcement of the recipients for NZC’s 2024-25 Contestable Fund.
The fund will support 12 female leadership development initiatives across Aotearoa, including five targeting youth leadership development programmes.
Cricket Wellington’s ‘Young Leaders’ programme, delivered for the first time in the 2020-21 season, paved the way for similar programmes to follow.
The Young Leaders programme has been particularly effective at keeping youth engaged in cricket, with 91% of participants continuing to be involved with the sport after their graduation.
Programme lead Frances Stewart highlighted the positive impact the initiative has had on cricket in Wellington.
“Over the past 5 years we have supported 77 rangatahi to graduate the programme,”
“Most of them are still connected to the sport, many are coaching and, for some, it has acted as a springboard towards national leadership opportunities.
“Keeping young women in cricket means continued personal physical activity, health and a stronger base of female players coming through the pathway.
“It also means we’re able to develop future coaches, umpires, club committee members and administrators, ensuring that, as time moves on, the balance between women’s and men’s involvement in cricket is more equal.”
According to Stewart, the support of the Contestable Fund has been key in elevating the standard of the programme.
“The support we have received means we’re able to deliver the programme to a high standard,”
“We’re able to recruit great mentors, great coaching staff, great trainers, and great presenters to give our young leaders the best chance of success.”
Other initiatives included women in leadership and coach development initiatives, aimed at supporting and growing the capability of women coaches across the motu.
Many initiatives will be locally led by associations, with others at a club level.
Initiatives:
- Cricket Wellington - Young Leaders Programme
- Auckland Cricket - Rangatahi Female Leadership Programme
- Cricket Wellington & Central Districts - Female Leadership Forum
- Takapuna Cricket Club - Growing girls into coaching
- Otago Cricket - Suzie Bates Leadership Course
- Otago Cricket - OCA Women's Leadership Forum
- Auckland Cricket - Empowering Female Coaches
- Kumeu Cricket Club - Women and Girls Coordinator
- Parnell Cricket Club - Growing Junior Girls Coaches
- Manawatu Cricket - Aspiring Leaders Programme
- Canterbury Cricket - Magicians Young Leaders Course
- Northern Districts - Inspire Women's Leadership Programme
