Queenstown will play host to a special celebration of women’s cricket when the inaugural Women’s Masters Tournament takes place on 20-21 March 2026 at the Queenstown Events Centre and Sir John Davies Oval.
The event will bring together former domestic and international players alongside passionate cricketers aged 35+, providing a unique opportunity for past players to reconnect with the game, reignite rivalries and create new memories both on and off the field.
The tournament is being led by organiser Emma Campbell, with support from Queenstown Cricket Club, Coaching Solutions, and NZ Veterans Cricket.
Four teams will compete in the inaugural event:
Canterbury, led by former England international Mandie Godliman and featuring former WHITE FERNS Selena Charteris and Kelly Anderson.
NZ Police, boasting former WHITE FERNS Holly Huddleston and Sian Ruck, alongside a number of former domestic players.
Queensland, headed by former WHITE FERNS legend Nicola Browne.
‘Rest of New Zealand’, bringing together players from Auckland through to Dunedin and led by NZ Veterans Cricket volunteer Daile Cronje.
The tournament will be played in a T20 format under domestic playing conditions, with matches scheduled at 10:30am and 2:30pm across both days. After the round-robin matches, the top two teams will meet in the Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.
Beyond the cricket, the weekend will feature a tournament dinner on Friday evening and a final celebration on Saturday night, giving players the chance to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate the friendships built through cricket.
Campbell says the vision for the event is simple.
“Cricket was such a huge part of our lives for many years. We created incredible memories on and off the field and lifelong friendships. This tournament is about bringing players back together, seeing if we still ‘have it’, and celebrating the contribution women have made to the game.”
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the Women’s Masters Tournament promises to be not only a competitive contest but also a fitting celebration of women’s cricket.
Organisers hope the 2026 event will be the first of many, with plans to grow the tournament and create more opportunities for former players to stay connected with the sport in years ahead.
