New Zealand Cricket is proud to support 14 initiatives through the 2025/26 Female Leadership Development Contestable Fund, continuing its mission to amplify female visibility and capability in off-field cricket roles.
Now in its fifth season, the Contestable Fund has backed 54 initiatives to date.
This season’s recipients include a mix of established and innovative programmes, with a continued focus on youth leadership, coaching pathways, and regional collaboration.
NZC Head of Female Engagement, Jess Davidson, emphasised the importance of these initiatives.
“These initiatives ensure the cricket ecosystem continues to evolve to be more inclusive, visible, and inspiring for female leaders and those in female focused roles,”
“It’s about normalising female involvement in all aspects of the game, not just on the field,”
“It has been fantastic to see the impact of the initiatives supported through the fund previously and we look forward to this season’s initiatives continuing the momentum.”
Auckland Cricket’s Youth Umpiring and Scoring Pilot and Kaikorai Junior Cricket Club’s Whakamana Wāhine – Female Coach Pathway Programme have been recognised as fresh, innovative approaches to female leadership in non-playing roles.
Youth leadership remains a key theme, offering young women opportunities to grow their leadership capabilities, while supporting youth retention in cricket.
The youth leadership programmes include workshops on leading self, leading others, wellbeing, mental skills, umpiring, communication, coaching, and are often co-designed and delivered by student leaders themselves.
Cricket Wellington reported strong outcomes from its 2024/25 Young Leaders Programme, with 91% of alumni still playing and 25% actively coaching.
Contestable Fund – 2025/26 Initiatives:
Major Associations:
- Canterbury Cricket: Magicians Young Leaders Course
- Northern Districts: Beyond the Boundary & Inspire Women's Leadership Programme
- Otago Cricket: Suzie Bates Leaders Course
- Auckland Cricket: Women and Girls Coach Elevation & Youth Umpiring & Scoring Pilot
- Cricket Wellington: Beyond the Field & Mentoring Female Coaches
- North Island Female Leadership Forum: Joint initiative by CDCA, CW, NDCA & ACA
Clubs:
- Havelock North CC & Taradale CC: Female Gamechangers
- Takapuna CC: Female Leadership Programme
- Kaikorai Junior CC: Whakamana Wāhine – Female Coach Pathway Programme
District Associations:
- Nelson Cricket Association: Mentorship Programme
- Canterbury Country Cricket Association: Leaders in Selwyn
For more information about the NZC Female Leadership Framework, click here.
