Former international to take over the reins

Former International and Canterbury Representative Vicki Burtt has been appointed coach of the Canterbury Women's 1st XI Team for the 2001/02 season.

Burtt, a Level III coach takes over the role from Lindsay Thorn who has coached the side for the last three seasons. She has a strong playing and coaching background and currently holds the position of Coaching Manager for the Canterbury Cricket Association. Burtt was recently named one of New Zealand Cricket three apprentice women coaches indicating the high regard her coaching is held by NZC.

Burtt has been actively involved with coaching underage cricket since coaching the Canterbury 2nd XI team which won the 1995/96 tournament. She has coached at the Canterbury U23/U21 level for the past 5 years. Burtt said the highlight was the winning of the 2000/01 National U21 tournament by Canterbury.

As a player Burtt was first chosen to represent Canterbury as a 15-year-old which lead to a 15 year playing history with the champion side. Burtt still holds the 4th wicket partnership for Canterbury of 126 set 20 years ago with Ann McKenna. She represented New Zealand from 1977-82 during this time playing in 2 World Cups.

Commenting on her new role Burtt said "It is both a thrill and honour to be associated with such a promising group of athletes. I am looking forward to the challenges that coaching at this level will bring me and can't wait to work alongside this new era of exciting players."