• CDCA announces inaugural contract offers
• John Turkington Ltd welcomed on board as sponsorship partner

It’s a ground-breaking day for Central Districts Cricket, with nine Central Hinds cricketers offered contracts for the first time.The nine 2019/20 Domestic contracts have been offered following NZC’s new Women’s Master Agreement, announced last month, with contracts now providing financial support to compensate players for their reparation and playing time throughout the New Zealand cricket season.

CEO Pete de Wet said it was a significant step forward for the women’s Domestic game in New Zealand.

“The commitment to playing cricket at this high level means making personal sacrifices, such as taking time off work and studies, and these contracts will help ease that burden.

“I am thrilled to see these inaugural nine players being rewarded for making themselves available to play in both the Dream 11 Super Smash and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield competitions for the Central Hinds.

“As defending champions in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and with a solid commitment to producing WHITE FERNS for our country, it’s key that we have structures in place to support our players’ commitment to playing the game.”

With Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair already having been awarded an annual WHITE FERNS contract by NZC for this summer, and Jess Watkin and Natalie Dodd having been offered NZC National Development contracts, a total of 13 Central Hinds now sit in the contracted environment.

The national one-day champions will have even greater support this summer with John Turkington Forestry Ltd (JTL) joining the team as a new sponsorship partner of both CDCA and the flagship Central Hinds team.

Established in 1993, JTL is one of the country’s most prominent forestry consultancies, with services ranging from forest establishment, management and silviculture through to harvesting and log exports.

De Wet said he was thrilled to welcome John Turkington Limited on board for an initial two-year agreement, joining Wide Span Sheds and Snap Fitness as sponsors of the Central Hinds.

“As key supporters of the Central Hockey and the Black Sticks, we know John and Angela Turkington are very passionate about community sport and this new alignment with the Central Hinds - at a time of significant growth in the women’s game - means that we can ensure that we, too, continue to grow our investment in supporting the Central Hinds programme.”

John and Angela Turkington are passionate supporters of sport in our community

John Turkington said he was very proud to be on board to support a team that shares many of his company’s core values — including fair play, a commitment to success and to regional New Zealand.

“Our company is based in the CD heartland of Marton, Rangitikei, so we understand completely the community value of supporting sport in the regions,” he said.

“The Central Hinds are a special team that brings together players from all over central New Zealand and flies in the face of those logistic challenges to achieve some very special results.

“We’re very much looking forward to another exciting summer of women’s cricket and delighted to be joining the CDCA family of ardent supporters.”

The Central Hinds will begin their defence of their national one-day title with the first two rounds of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at Levin’s Donnelly Park from 10.30am on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November, against the Otago Sparks.

Admission to all Central Hinds Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches is free to the public.

2019/20 CENTRAL HINDS SCHEDULE

2019/20 Contracts:

WHITE FERNS

Hannah Rowe — Manawatū

Rosemary Mair — Hawke’s Bay

NZC DEVELOPMENT

Natalie Dodd — Taranaki

Jess Watkin — Whanganui

CENTRAL HINDS

Georgia Atkinson — Wairarapa

Kate Baxter — Taranaki

Emily Cunningham — Taranaki

Claudia Green — Nelson

Mikaela Greig — Manawatū

Melissa Hansen — Wairarapa

Monique Rees — Taranaki

Kerry Tomlinson — Whanganui

Anlo van Deventer — Wairarapa

Follow our CENTRAL HINDS on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM this summer

Official hashtags: #CentralHinds #HBJShield #SuperSmashNZ

Article added: Thursday 31 October 2019