Long-time high performance chief Bryan Stronach is set to leave New Zealand Cricket, at least on a fulltime basis.
The man who headed NZC’s High Performance unit and system during an unprecedented era of success will step down from his role at the end of the month to take up a position with “In Your Corner”, a business dedicated to growing leaders, teams, and organisations.
The good news for NZC is that Stronach is committed to remaining at Lincoln until his successor comes on board, after which he will be engaged on a consultancy basis in a role yet to be determined.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said Stronach had been one of the unsung heroes of the past decade.
“Bryan’s played an enormous part in the growth of not just the BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS and our domestic competitions, but the system that’s underpinned it all,” said Weenink.
“We tend to think of our players when we discuss our biggest successes in sport but Bryan’s contribution has been incredibly valuable.
“He’s helped build a system that, in terms of developing, and maximising available resources, is the envy of most other countries in the world.”
Weenink said he was delighted Stronach had agreed to continue playing a role within NZC on a consultancy basis, so that his wealth of institutional knowledge would not be lost.
“We haven’t hammered out the details of that role yet but to continue to have Bryan’s oversight is very reassuring.”
Stronach joined NZC in 2007 as a strength and conditioning co-ordinator and has led the high performance unit since 2014.
Among the highlights during his tenure have been the men’s team qualifying for the final of three World Cups and winning the inaugural World Test Championship, and the women’s team winning last year’s ICC T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Stronach said he thoroughly enjoyed his time at NZC, and was certain the current high performance staff, together with his replacement, would carry the New Zealand game to new heights.
“It’s never been about any one person, it’s always been a team effort to help the game grow and improve, and most of that backroom team remain intact,” said Stronach.
“I’ve been part of a system that’s tried to make the whole greater than its sum of parts - and to see that delivering such positive results has been very satisfying.”
A recruitment process to find Stronach’s replacement has already begun.
