The Winter edition of Outright magazine is out now, after what has been an incredibly busy time for the NZCPA and our members.
The newly minted Master Agreement between NZC, NZCPA and the Major Associations is a landmark agreement that lifts the professional game for all our members, but notably with significant advances in the women’s domestic and international game. The strength of relationship between the parties is a key asset to the game in this country, and while negotiations were robust and challenging, the adoption of Yolanda Beattie’s gender equity principles made those challenges somewhat easier to navigate. Underpinning the agreement is growth in NZC’s commercial programme that allows for sustainable investment into the men’s and women’s high-performance environments over the term.
The agreed 29.75% share of revenue will see $103 million applied to the Player Payment Pool over the five years. This provided the foundation for equal match payments for men and women, as well as uplifts in total payments across all playing groups. Significantly the investment into the Personal Development Programme was enhanced to a level which will result in an expanded level of support for current and past players.
Things have been busy on the field over winter as well, with the Blackcaps in action in the UK, Europe, West Indies and shortly bound for Australia for the Chappell Hadlee series. Following this there is a home T20 tri-series against Bangladesh and Pakistan ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup across the ditch in October and November.
Meanwhile, congratulations go to the White Ferns for their victory over England to earn a bronze medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The White Ferns dominated the bronze medal match in front of 20,000, predominately home fans, at Edgbaston to secure an 8-wicket win, and thus matching the bronze medal the Blackcaps secured at the Games in Kuala Lumpa back in 1998. The White Ferns are about to depart for a tour to the West Indies in what will be an exciting experience and series for the team.
In this edition we reflect on the recent passing of our Patron and cricket legend Barry Sinclair (MNZM). Barry was a much-respected cricketer, former New Zealand captain and passionate supporter of the NZCPA and his passing in July, just weeks after his friend, team-mate, and New Zealand selector Don Neely (MNZM MBE), was sadly felt by many of our members and those who knew Barry well. Bill Francis, who wrote his biography ‘In Pursuit of Excellence – The Barry Sinclair Story’ pays tribute to Barry in this edition.
Our cover story focuses on former White Fern and Wellington all-rounder Lucy Doolan who has found a new passion in the building trade as a tiler. You will also learn about former ND, now CD, pace bowler Brett Randell who shares his story about his battle with a form of inflammatory arthritis - ankylosing spondylitis. Jeet Raval chats to us about his career outside of cricket and the NZCPA’s own Lesley Elvidge shares her learning from her recent trip to Europe for the World Players’ Personal Development conference.
Click here or on the cover image for a read or head to our publications section, we hope you enjoy this latest edition of Outright.