The 2008/09 cricket season brings up the 8th anniversary of very successful National Development Programme.
The programme was first established by Alec Astle and is now led by Mark Lane, New Zealand Cricket's new National Development Manager.
Astle joined NZC ahead of the 1998/99 season and created the first National Development Plan out of which has grown the current comprehensive programme, which was launched in 2000 by way of sponsorship funding from Nestle NZ through the MILO brand.
Astle, who resigned this year after a decade in the position, said: "The initial focus of the programme was at the primary or junior level through the MILO Initiatives which were delivered by a network of Cricket Development Managers and MILO Summer Squad cricket development personnel in each of the Major Cricket Associations.
“After extensive reviews of school and club cricket the programme was expanded to incorporate secondary school and club cricket through the School Support and Club Assist Community Cricket Initiatives.
“To implement these initiatives, New Zealand Cricket has progressively funded the appointment of Community Cricket Coordinator personnel in all the Major and District Cricket Associations. Today there are over 60 such full-time cricket operatives.
“Through these initiatives we have grown and sustained the game in schools and clubs in New Zealand and the 32.9% increase in player numbers to 100,348 in that time is testimony to our contribution to inspiring New Zealanders to enjoy our great summer game.”
Mark Lane now leads New Zealand Cricket's development area.
A lifelong cricketer, Lane represented Central Districts, Wellington and Canterbury at first-class level and held coaching positions on the staff of each of those associations.
A former teacher at Christ’s College, he joined NZC as National Development Officer progressing to his previous role which oversaw the Coach Development Programme throughout the country.
Lane stated: “It is a fantastic opportunity to build on the great work Alec has done over the past decade. As a long-standing member of the team, I have witnessed at close hand how the development programme has blossomed over the years.
“The bar has been set high, but the team is determined to ensure the sustainable growth of the game and continue to help develop the game from its essential grass roots.”
The coming season will see the Development team organise a number of key events in the cricket calendar.
CRICKET08, the initiative to Keep Cricket Strong in Schools, will take place on October 15.
The day will see cricketers visit schools across New Zealand, with new MILO initiatives launched concurrently, with the inaugural NZC Development Awards presented for the first time at the 2008 NZC Awards Dinner.
Some key achievements of New Zealand Cricket's National Development Programme to date have included:
• 33% growth in player numbers - with now over 100,000 active cricket participants in New Zealand.
• The employment of a comprehensive network of enthusiastic and committed cricket development personnel throughout the country • The close alignment of New Zealand Cricket and the Major and District Associations. This has been hugely beneficial for cricket in New Zealand making change and putting in place the development programme nationally in a coordinated and progressive manner.
• The design and introduction of new initiatives such as MILO Have-A-Go Cricket, New Zealand Cricket Skills Challenge, Backyard Cricket Fun, Quikhit, Slog Sixes and School Support and Club Assist , as well as major sport development concepts such as flexibility, adaptability and ‘less is more’ through modified formats and reduced team numbers.
• The alignment of the player and coach development pathways and subsequent writing of the MILO Have-A-Go Cricket, MILO Kiwi Cricket and Coaching a Cricket Team coaching manuals and courses. Currently over 1,600 introductory coaches are being trained per year in these courses.
• The formulation of the Community Cricket School Support and Club Assist programmes with health checks and accompanying advice, guidance and assistance resources. The aim of these has been to encourage secondary schools and clubs to plan and better allocate their resources in order to improve their services and capability and hence their long-term sustainability. The focus has been on strengthening their administrations, including databasing and funding, club-school linkages, coaching and practice sessions, facilities and playing options.
• The writing of over 30 cricket resources to underpin the programme and provide development personnel with quality materials to support their operation. • The expansion and growth of the national schools development competitions to five competitions now catering for over 800 schools and 9,600 youngsters
• The organisation of major campaigns such as Keep Cricket Strong in Schools, MILO Kiwi Cricket Kids on the ODI grounds and the introduction of the School Cricket Coordinator scheme
• Involvement with SPARC in the establishment of the National Coaching Strategy and the subsequent National Coach Development Guidelines
• Involvement with the ICC East Asia Pacific as part of their Advisory Committee in the development of the game in our region of the world.
