Dawson honoured with NZ Order of Merit

New Zealand Cricket Board Member Liz Dawson has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport governance.

Dawson, who was the first female CEO of an Australian Rugby League Club, has been a champion for women being given opportunities in sports governance roles.

She has held positions in Super Rugby, AFL and was involved in bringing the 2011 Rugby World Cup to New Zealand.

Having joined the NZC Board in 2013, Dawson has driven change to increase female representation across all levels of cricket in New Zealand and currently chairs a Women in Governance group.

Seeing women get further women opportunities in sport has been her key motivation, Dawson said.

""If I've played a small part in that for some New Zealand women over the past few years and into the future to come, then I will have done what I set out to do.

"As I've sort of gotten older and have seen and supported younger women coming through the ranks as well, it's one of the most important things that I feel has been an outcome of my career to date.”

Dawson is also currently the Deputy Chair of the national Olympic Committee.