With support from New Zealand Cricket, Cricket Wellington has launched a new Wellington Blaze Academy — an initiative designed to provide a clear, connected high performance pathway for talented women aspiring to reach the highest levels of the game.
Wellington’s Academy will provide access for 10 young female cricketers in the region to high-quality coaching, individual development planning, performance support, educational opportunities, and experiences aligned with the expectations of the senior Wellington Blaze environment.
New Zealand Cricket’s Project Push On is focused on strengthening the women’s high-performance pathway across New Zealand.
The new Wellington programme meets Project Push On investment objectives and provides a model for further strategic investment in this space across the MA landscape.
NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Development, Liz Green commented that NZC is proud to partner with Cricket Wellington to bring the Blaze Academy to life.
“NZC’s strategic investment across all six Major Associations is an important part of strengthening the women’s high-performance pathway — and ensuring talented young players have the support and opportunities they need to progress towards Domestic and, ultimately, International cricket,” said the former WHITE FERN.
“Wellington has a proud history of developing outstanding cricketers and we’re excited to see the Academy support the next generation of homegrown talent.
“Ultimately, [this will] help produce more players capable of representing the WHITE FERNS.”
The Academy officially launched on Wednesday 19 August, with players and their parents attending an evening led by Cricket Wellington GM of High Performance, Dave Wildash; and Wellington Blaze Academy Manager Robbie Kerr.
The 10 players were introduced to the Blaze support staff to whom they will have access throughout the 12-month cohort programme.
Wildash said the Academy will support and teach players to balance the demands of high performance cricket with life away from the game, while providing year-round development and building their understanding of the culture, environment and standards expected at the Blaze.
“A key principle of the Blaze Academy is ‘Nothing New,’” said Wildash, “so they can be ready to perform physically, mentally, technically and tactically at Blaze level.
“That came from a conversation with Blaze Head Coach Jonny Bassett-Graham about how we can better prepare Wellington-developed players for the demands of the Blaze environment.
“While some of our Academy athletes are already part of the Blaze group, the 12-month programme is about continuing to support their development and helping them grow into the environment.
Robbie Kerr called the Academy model “a wonderful initiative".
"The women’s game in New Zealand and around the world is growing at a rapid rate and the jump from age-group cricket to Domestic cricket is significant.
“Our aim with the Academy is to help bridge those gaps and prepare players for the demands of the next level. Cricket Wellington wants to continue to develop homegrown players at domestic and international level.”
The inaugural Wellington Blaze Academy players
- Anvi Verma (Scots College and Johnsonville CC)
- Isla McKenzie (North City CC)
- Neha Ramanathan (North City CC)
- Lily Campbell (Wellington Collegians CC)
- Emma Parker (Kapiti College and Petone-Riverside CC)
- Eva Hay (Wellington Collegians CC)
- Rose McGuigan (Scots College and City Suburbs CC)
- Thea Larsen (Queen Margrets College and City Suburbs CC)
- Mira Patel (Scots College and Johnsonville CC)
- Greta Abbott (Tawa College and North City CC)