Issues of public interest considered at New Zealand Cricket Board meeting

The meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Board considered the following issues of public interest at its meeting on Friday 29 June:

The Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, has accepted the Board's invitation to be the new Patron of New Zealand Cricket. Dame Silvia's appointment will be ratified at the Annual General Meeting on September 14.

The Board has re-appointed David Hoskin of Hamilton for a second term of one year as President of New Zealand Cricket.

The Board agreed to support fund the position of First Class coach in each of the six Major Associations, effective immediately. The decision supports the Board's view that these positions should provide year-round fulltime employment.

The Board agreed in principle to the contracting of New Zealand's six leading umpires. The decision recognises the importance of providing financial security for the officials who provide an essential service to the game.

The Board agreed in principle the international and domestic cricket fixtures for the coming season. These will be released to the public within a fortnight.

Over the past 18 months a detailed investigation into secondary school, club and district cricket has been undertaken. The Board considered a strategic plan to address the issues confronting the game at its grassroots. The Board agreed the plan in principle and will publicly announce the strategic vision in the coming months.

The Board agreed the addition of a fourth selector for the CLEAR White Ferns. Former international Kirsty Flavell joins the current panel of Lesley Murdoch (convenor), Eileen Badham and Mike Shrimpton (coach). The Board also appointed Diana Goodall of Wellington to an inaugural selectorial position of Junior Women's selector.

As reported last Friday (29 June) the Board will receive a recommendation from the interviewing panel after a series of second interviews with leading candidates. The second interviews will also include CLEAR Black Caps team manager, Jeff Crowe, who was unavailable for the first round due to an overseas commitment.

The Board has accepted an invitation for the New Zealand 'A' team to participate in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, India from 15 August-5 September 2001. A New Zealand Combined Academy team was involved in the tournament last year progressing as far as the semi-final stage.

The Board confirmed the signing of the Host Agreement between the ICC and New Zealand Cricket. The ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup will be played in New Zealand from mid-January to mid-February 2002. Full details will be announced in coming weeks.