Over the last few months there have been a number of positive developments in the women’s game. The changes are making WHITE FERNS coach Haidee Tiffen and captain Suzie Bates very excited.
Arguably the biggest development in the female game is financial growth. New Zealand Cricket announced in August that there would be an increase in the number of female player contracts and an increase in pay.
Tiffen believes it is a fantastic move.
“It’s a huge step forward for New Zealand Cricket. I want to recognize New Zealand cricket for their investment in the women’s game. It is exciting. For the players, they get the opportunity to put more time and effort into cricket."
Suzie Bates is one of the WHITE FERNS first fully professional female cricketers and she thinks there will be an increase in motivation among the side.
“As soon as money gets put into the game there’s more expectation on the players and support staff. I also think it gives you that extra motivation. The cricket can only get better if the girls are allowed to train full time."
Bates is one of a number of players that are now being paid to play in leagues around the world. In the New Zealand winter there have been WHITE FERNS playing in England, the same location as ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
“I took a lot of learnings from playing over there. Hopefully the experience will help us in the World Cup next year.”
The WHITE FERNS have recently taken part in a training camp at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval, which is in preparation for their tour to South Africa. Coach Haidee Tiffen knows the sixth ranked team in the world will be stiff competition.
“They are going to be a real challenge in their own backyard.”
None of the current WHITE FERNS have represented New Zealand in South Africa before. It represents a step forward, as the last time the team featured in South Africa was during the 2005 cricket world cup. The series against the African side provides the team with great preparation ahead of next year’s highly anticipated ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
“We are well and truly into our World Cup campaign, whilst we treat it as a series in its own right, we are certainly working towards the tournament next year.”
The next year is going to be extremely busy, with the team overseas for more than 100 days. Touring can be difficult to manage, but Tiffen believes the extended schedule is positive for the female game.
“I’m really excited for where the women’s game can go in this country.“
With so many positive changes in women’s cricket, Suzie Bates can see young girls now looking at cricket a little differently.
“There are a lot of sports now that are the same, rugby sevens and football are doing the same in contracting players. I think the more you can offer it as a career the more girls are going to choose cricket over other sports."
The team leave for South Africa at the end of September and play their first ODI in South Africa on the 8th of October.
