Central Districts Cricket is pleased to congratulate its representative age-group coaching and management staff appointed for the 2019/20 season.

The coming summer will see a significant change from past seasons for emerging female players with NZC disestablishing the Women’s Under 21 nationals — silverware won by CD in 2015/16 and 2017/18 — and replacing it with a Women’s Under 19 national tournament that will align the women’s game at development level with the long-standing men’s Under 19 national programme.

Cricket Wanganui’s DILAN RAJ will therefore be the inaugural coach of the Central Districts Women’s Under 19 squad, supported by Whanganui’s EBONY KERR who will manage the squad this season.

Raj will bring plenty of experience to his new role, having previously mentored CD’s men’s Under 17 side for a number of years.

The men’s Under 17 squad will meanwhile be coached by Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s DAVE CASTLE, with Taranaki rep and development coach KURT LEUTHART appointed as Assistant Coach.

As Hawke’s Bay’s senior men’s coach and a sports coordinator for Hastings Boys’ High, Castle likewise brings with him a wealth of experience to the U17 role — where he will be working with CD’s emerging generation as they work towards national tournament representation, and transitioning from the world of the Gillette Cup to senior rep cricket level.

The CD men’s Under 19 squad will again be coached by Marlborough’s JARROD ENGLEFIELD. The former Central Stags captain will be assisted this summer by Nelson Cricket’s Coaching Manager and former senior rep captain, RYAN EDWARDS.

The Under 19 men’s squad will head to Lincoln in early December for the 2019/20 nationals which will take on extra significance this summer with a New Zealand Under 19 side to be named to compete for the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa early in the new year.

Central Districts Manager, High Performance Lance Hamilton said it was exciting for CDCA to again be appointing top-quality coaches from within its own borders.

“As we keep looking towards a strong future for CD, we are really pleased to be able to appoint mentors of this experience and standing to help guide our young talents through an important stage of their development,” said Hamilton.

“Age-group nationals are an exciting time in any young cricketer’s career and an important stepping stone to further opportunities.

“I’m very confident that a professional environment will be created at each age-group level that sets the tone for future honours at CD level.”

Save the Dates

NZC Men’s Under 19 National Tournament

4-12 December 2019, NZC High Performance Centre, Lincoln

NZC Women’s Under 19 National Tournament

17-23 December 2019, NZC High Performance Centre, Lincoln

NZC Men’s Under 17 National Tournament

4-11 January 2020, NZC High Performance Centre, Lincoln

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      Article added: Friday 27 September 2019