NEW NAMES ON CONTRACTED STAGS ROSTER
Central Districts Cricket has today announced 15 of the 16 Central Stags contracts for the coming season, including a handy acquisition from Otago.
Jake Gibson is an athletic, right-arm allrounder who, at 28, is no stranger to his new teammates after 17 Plunket Shield, 35 Super Smash and 20 Ford Trophy matches.
Gibson debuted in 2020 for his native Northern Districts before moving south to Otago to produce performances that include a one-day bag of 5/31 and T20 knock of 96 — which he blasted off just 63 balls, while opening the batting against the Kings.
More often he occupies the traditional allrounder's spot down the order, and CDCA High Performance Manager Dave Meiring says Gibson’s versatility and experience makes him a good fit for a squad looking to add to its all-round stocks.
“We see Jake as a genuine all-round option for us, in all three formats,” says Meiring.
"We like the fact that he’s an experienced player and understands the rigours of the Domestic game, so will bring that maturity to our group.
"We want him to bring that experience to our squad to work alongside the up-and-coming seamers that we have, and to offer us versatility with the bat that provides balance when we select an XI.”
Along with Gibson, two capped Stags are also receiving full-season CDCA contracts for the first time.
Curtis Heaphy and Taylor Bettelheim | PHOTOSPORT
Opening batter Taylor Bettelheim gained his first contract part-way through last season, and the 25-year-old now stays in the contracted group (capped at 16 players), after two first-class half centuries from three Plunket Shield starts last summer.
Meanwhile, Hawke’s Bay 22-year-old Sam Cassidy got an opportunity to show off his wares in the Super Smash — where the explosive youngster thumped 49 off 29 balls, including three sixes, against a quality Northern Brave attack at McLean Park.
Cassidy combined with Curtis Heaphy to dig the team out of a hole that evening with a 94-run partnership.
He's a product of the CD development pathway and Lindisfarne College in Hastings, and has also represented New Zealand, having been selected by NZC for the 2024 Hong Kong International Sixes.
Meiring said Bettelheim and Cassidy have demonstrated their potential, and “it's exciting to be in the position to contract two players for the full season for the first time.
“Both Sam and Taylor have already played Domestic cricket, so they aren’t untried at this level, and it feels like they are both on the up — providing depth in our squad, rather than falling into the talented-but-yet-to-prove-themselves bracket.
"That means genuine competition for spots, and that's what we always strive for.
"They are both batsmen, but have different skill sets. We look forward to seeing them both scoring runs for us this summer.”
The balance of Central’s contracted squad is a familiar line-up, and Plunket Shield and T20 captain Tom Bruce returns to being a fully contracted player for 2026/27.
Last summer Bruce handed back his contract after it became clear he would not be available for the entire Super Smash window (a condition of Domestic contracts in New Zealand), moving instead to a casual playing agreement for 2025/26.
The roster combines the vast experience of seasoned performers — the ilk of Bruce, Ajaz Patel, Dane Cleaver — with a youthful new wave including Toby Findlay, Cassidy, Bettelheim and Heaphy.
MBUTCHER
Left-arm paceman Ray Toole stood out as New Zealand's top first-class wicket-taker last summer, and Josh Clarkson topped the one-day wickets list nationally, stepping up in a new role as the team's senior allrounder.
Mr Consistent Brad Schmulian placed behind only a rampant Henry Nicholls (Canterbury) for the most first-class runs nationally, and he was the third-highest one-day run-scorer, followed by Stags teammates Dean Foxcroft and Will Young.
Young dazzled with back-to-back centuries in The Ford Trophy Elimination and Grand Finals; and Heaphy and Schmulian also tonned up twice in a particularly strong one-day season.
Pace bowler Brett Randell then became the first cricketer in the world to take five first-class wickets in five balls (leaving Northern Districts in tatters at 9/5), en route to a superb seven-wicket haul.
Left-arm spinner Patel breezed past his 400th first-class wicket, and keeper Cleaver added the Stags’ all-time one-day dismissals record to the Plunket Shield and Super Smash team records he already held.
Last season saw the Stags produce strong results across all formats.
They won the one-day Ford Trophy in record style; finished a remarkably close first-class Plunket Shield championship in the top three, and missed out on the Super Smash Finals by a skinny whisker.
It suffices to say there is serious talent in the green cap and, in addition to the 15 named today and the 16th contract that will be announced on 21 July, the team also maintains the services of NZC-contracted BLACKCAPS Young and Blair Tickner whenever they are available.
The new season’s Domestic fixtures will be inked in over the coming weeks and the players will formally begin their new contracts on 1 September, continuing through until April 2027.
SAM CASSIDY reaction:
"It was actually 2am here in Holland [he is spending the winter playing for Amsterdam club VRA] when I found out — I had randomly woken up and seen a message from Dave Meiring on my phone, and I instantly became a little nervous. But once I read the message, I was absolutely stoked.
"I texted my uncle back in New Zealand straightaway with the news as he's been a big part of my journey over the last couple of years. It was a very proud moment, and it's been nice to share the news with family who have been very supportive of me.
"I think being contracted is a special opportunity that will allow me to fully commit to cricket and give it everything I've got. It's something I've had my eyes set on for a while, and I'm really excited I get the chance to do that now.
"Being able to solely focus on becoming the best athlete I can be is something I'm really looking forward to, and I'm definitely going to be pushing myself to make the most of this opportunity.
"Last season, I really enjoyed being around the lads and being able to prove myself a little bit, as well as learn and ask questions. There's a lot of experience in the group and I feel like it's my responsibility to really make the most of that.
"I'm very much looking forward to getting back to Hawke’s Bay to begin the preseason with the boys. I've had a really great experience over here in Holland, really feel like I've improved my game which gives me a lot of excitement to get back home and hit the ground running when the season starts."
JAKE GIBSON reaction:
"I really enjoyed my time in Otago over the last five years, and now I’m looking forward to trying to challenge myself in a new environment to grow my own game.
"I’m excited to be joining a proud association like CD and a bunch of good sorts in the Stags team. They're pretty relatable guys, I've always thought — I always enjoyed playing against them.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity. I look around the Stags and see a team full of a lot of experienced people who really know their role, who have played higher honours as well and have won a lot of titles.
"I still feel like I've got my best years to come and there’s plenty that I still want to achieve, so I'm looking forward to immersing myself in that environment, putting on the green and seeing how far I can take it. I’m looking forward to getting to Hawke’s Bay and contributing to a new group to see how far I can push it forward not only myself, but with the Stags as well.
"I’d love to contribute to winning comps with the team. I think it's going to be exciting."
2026/27 Central Stags Contracts
[one to be added]
Taylor Bettelheim - Hawke’s Bay
Tom Bruce - Taranaki
Sam Cassidy* - Hawke’s Bay
Josh Clarkson - Nelson
Dane Cleaver - Manawatū
Joey Field - Hawke’s Bay
Toby Findlay - Hawke’s Bay
Dean Foxcroft - Hawke’s Bay
Jake Gibson* - District Association TBC
Curtis Heaphy - Manawatū
Jayden Lennox - Hawke’s Bay
Ajaz Patel - Hawke’s Bay
Brett Randell - Nelson
Brad Schmulian - Hawke’s Bay
Ray Toole - Manawatū
Contracted BLACKCAPS
Blair Tickner - Hawke’s Bay
Will Young - Taranaki
*First Central Stags contract
Article added: Monday 6 July 2026
