Swathes of new talent are emerging across the country, with the six Major Associations releasing their first round of women’s contracts for the season.
Each Major Association can announce up to 12 players in their initial round of contracting, with a second round of contracting to follow, bringing each squad up to 13 players.
Each of the six Major Associations features players earning their first ever domestic contract, or, a player who has been awarded their first contract for that particular province. The overwhelming theme is one of new beginnings, as the next generation of cricketing talent gets the opportunity to realise their potential and enjoy greater opportunity to perform and develop.
Much like some of the nation’s younger WHITE FERNS – Plimmer, Gaze, Carson, Penfold and Jonas – have emerged as key players in the nation’s set-up, so too will this next generation of domestic talent find themselves as key contributors throughout the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Dream11 Super Smash.
New Zealand Cricket’s Head of Women’s High Performance Development, Liz Green, believes the next crop of players will create the foundation of women’s high performance cricket for years to come.
“We’re seeing more and more opportunities for young athletes around the country to continue to develop their skills at domestic level which is awesome for the future of our game.”
“It’s also an exciting time for some of those second and third year domestic players to step into the spotlight and really take a larger role for their province.”
Movements
Kate Chandler at a recent Women's U19 training. Image - photosport
The Otago Sparks have secured the services of former Auckland Heart Anika Todd for the new season.
Batter Cate Pedersen is heading back to the Central Hinds after two seasons in Auckland with the Hearts.
Canterbury has two new signings, with allrounder Kate Chandler moving south from Wellington, and seam-bowler Molly Loe moving north from Otago.
Wellington rounds out the final movements from the first round of contracting, welcoming Cantabrian seam bowler Jess Simmons to their squad.
First Time Contracts
One of 5 newly contracted Hearts players Ayaan Lambat at a recent Women's U19 training. Image - photosport
Canterbury
Teenager Darcy Prasad earns her first contract with the Canterbury Magicians this year, the New Zealand Under-19 batter getting the nod from head coach Rhys Morgan.
Central Districts
Palmerston North-born, Manawatū player Jess Ogden earns her first official contract with the Central Hinds this season, after appearing in four Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches and, last season, three Dream11 Super Smash matches for the Hinds.
Auckland
The quintet of Taila Hurley, Ayaan Lambat, Jess Smith, Anika Tauwhare and Eve Meachen all earn their first domestic contracts with the Auckland Hearts for the new season.
Hurley made 11 appearances for Central Districts across 2018 and 2019 and now earns her first full contract with the Hearts.
Teenager Ayaan Lambat started 2025 representing the New Zealand Under-19 women and remains eligible for that side for another season.
Eve Meachen appeared four times for Auckland A alongside Lambat and Hurley last summer and is a product of the Auckland Under-19 women’s side.
Anika Tauwhare featured twice for the Hearts last season in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, picking up four wickets at an average of 22.5.
Jess Smith has appeared for Auckland Under-19, Auckland A, and New Zealand Māori women in the years leading up to her first contract this season.
The women’s domestic season kicks off with the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in November. The full schedule is set to be released this Monday the 11th of August.
Otago Sparks
Emma Black
Caitlin Blakely
Anna Browning
Chloe Deerness
Olivia Gain
Louisa Kotkamp
Isy Parry
Felicity Robertson
Anika Todd
PJ Watkins
+3 to be added
Central Hinds
Aniela Apperley
Georgia Atkinson
Ocean Bartlett
Flora Devonshire
Grace Foreman
Kate Gaging
Claudia Green
Ashtuti Kumar
Emma McLeod
Jess Ogden
Cate Pedersen
Kerry Tomlinson
+1 to be added
Northern Brave W
Carol Agafili
Skye Bowden
Marama Downes
Caitlin Gurrey
Yaz Kareem
Kayley Knight
Marina Lamplough
Nensi Patel
Holly Topp
Tash Wakelin
Jess Watkin
Eve Wolland
+1 to be added
Auckland Hearts
Olivia Anderson
Bella Armstrong
Elizabeth Buchanan
Prue Catton
Amie Hucker
Taila Hurley
Rishika Jaswal
Ayaan Lambat
Eve Meachen
Josie Penfold
Jess Smith
Anika Tauwhare
+1 to be added
Canterbury Magicians
Kate Anderson
Sarah Asmussen
Melissa Banks
Kate Chandler
Natalie Cox
Jodie Dean
Abigale Gerken
Abigail Hotton
Molly Loe
Darcy Prasad
Isobel Sharp
Gabby Sullivan
+1 to be added
Wellington Blaze
Nicole Baird
Rachel Bryant
Rebecca Burns
Natasha Codyre
Hannah Francis
Xara Jetly
Sam Mackinder
Jess McFayden
Isla Mckenzie
Jess Simmons
Gemma Sims
+ 3 to be added
