The 12th annual Player Induction Forum took place on September 25th and 26th, 2024, at Eden Park in Auckland. Twenty-five newly contracted male and female players from New Zealand’s six Major Associations attended, marking their official introduction into the professional cricketing landscape. Over two days, the players were familiarised with various aspects of professional cricket and educated on the extensive range of services provided by the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA).
While securing a first professional cricket contract is an exciting milestone, it also introduces players to a range of new expectations, responsibilities, and commitments. The induction forum's primary aim is to ensure that players are fully aware of the NZCPA's role and the services available to support them throughout their careers and beyond.
Professional sport offers immense rewards, but it also presents significant challenges. This forum provides players with a clear understanding of what lies ahead, equipping them with essential tools to navigate both the demands of cricket and their personal lives.
One of the unique aspects of the induction forum is the opportunity for players to interact with NZCPA staff in an informal setting. This early engagement lays the foundation for a strong and lasting relationship between the players and the NZCPA as they begin their professional journeys.
The first day of the forum featured insights from professional cricketers Hamish Rutherford and Anna Peterson, who shared their personal journeys in professional cricket. Their stories provided valuable lessons about the unpredictable nature of the sport. The message was clear: each player's path is different, and setbacks are a normal part of the process. The balanced perspective offered by Rutherford and Peterson resonated strongly with the 2024 inductees.
On the second day, the forum welcomed contributions from NZCPA’s valued partners and service providers, including Ivy Valderrama and Hillary van Lent from SuperLife, InsureYou, and Instep. Their presentations added a broader understanding of financial planning, insurance, and player well-being.
Key Topics Discussed
During the two-day event, several key topics were covered, including:
- An Introduction to the NZCPA
- The Personal Development Programme
- Master Agreement and Player Contracting
- Cricket Player Property Trust and Promotions
- Life as a Professional Cricketer – Shared by Hamish Rutherford and Anna Peterson
- NZC High Performance Programme – Presented by Marty Croy and Liz Green
- The Cricketers Retirement Fund – Presented by Superlife
- Medical, Insurance, and ACC – Presented by InsureYou
- Prioritising Your Well-being – Presented by Instep
New Otago Sparks player Harriet Cuttance found the forum particularly inspiring, stating, “It felt so welcoming coming into the organisation, we learnt that essentially the NZCPA is us (the players) and the organisation is there to represent us and there are no silly questions. We are part of the family and have a excellent support network to help guide us during and after cricket.”
Auckland Aces’ Jordan Sussex highlighted the value of bringing the newly contracted players together and hearing from the guest speakers. “A lot of what Hamish’s (Rutherford) messages resonated with me, I'm not exactly fresh out of school. The things that he mentioned around injuries, non-selections, stepping aside for other players, that was very relevant to me. Then a lot of the messages that Heath raised around striking a balance between work life and professional cricket life have been really helpful as well.”
Creating a supportive relationship with newly contracted players is a key focus for the NZCPA. The induction forum serves as an important step in providing these athletes with the knowledge and resources they need as they embark on their professional cricket careers. By the end of the forum, players left confident in the knowledge that the NZCPA is a lifelong association dedicated to supporting them through their time in cricket and beyond.
2024 Newly Contracted Players
Men:
Auckland Bevon-John Jacobs, Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver, Mike Sclanders, Jordan Sussex
Canterbury Cam Paul, Matt Rowe
CD Mason Hughes, Toby Findlay, Angus Schaw, Ewald Schreuder
ND Josh Brown, Fergus Lellman, Ben Pomare, Snehith (Lucky) Reddy*
Otago Zac Cumming, Jamal Todd
Wellington Sam Mycock
Women:
Auckland Sophie Court, Rishika Jaswal, Cate Pederson, Anika Todd
Canterbury Harriot Graham
CD Grace Foreman, Anna Gaging
ND Marina Lamplough, Jesse Prasad
Otago Anna Browning, Harriet Cuttance, Isy Perry
Wellington Rachel Bryant, Gemma Sims