Auckland cricketer Natasha van Tilburg has been named in the 2014-15 White Ferns High Performance Squad at just 16 years old.
The allrounder is the youngest in the squad of 20, which features current players from the White Ferns recent tour to the West Indies, as well as six others.
White Ferns High Performance Squad
Suzie Bates (c) – Otago Sparks
Kate Broadmore – Central Hinds
Nicola Browne – Northern Spirit
Sam Curtis – Auckland Hearts
Sophie Devine – Wellington Blaze
Maddy Green – Auckland Hearts
Georgia Guy – Auckland Hearts
Holly Huddleston – Auckland Hearts
Hayley Jensen – Canterbury Magicians
Felicity Leydon-Davis – Northern Spirit
Frances Mackay – Canterbury Magicians
Sara McGlashan – Auckland Hearts
Morna Nielsen – Otago Sparks
Katie Perkins – Auckland Hearts
Rachel Priest – Wellington Blaze
Hannah Rowe – Central Hinds
Sian Ruck – Northern Spirit
Amy Satterthwaite – Canterbury Magicians
Lea Tahuhu – Canterbury Magicians
Natasha van Tilburg – Auckland Hearts
Players in the squad will receive specialist coaching support, individual strength and conditioning programmes, mental skills training and athlete life services.
New Zealand Cricket’s Head of Cricket Lindsay Crocker says it’s a different approach to previous years, with more focus concentrated on a smaller group of players.
“These players are likely to play big roles for the White Ferns over the next few years and we’ll be providing the necessary resources to support their ongoing development as much as possible,” says Crocker.
“With the emergence of the ICC Women’s Championship, the women’s game has gone to an exciting new level. Through the newly established role of High Performance Manager and the 10 women’s contracts, we’re taking a number of steps to increase our strength and depth and create a viable succession plan.
“We hope to see the benefits at events such as the 2017 ICC Cricket World Cup and beyond.”
The White Ferns next series is against England at home in February.