The Players’ Conference - 2025

The annual Players’ Conference held in Auckland on 15th and 16th April is a cornerstone of the NZCPA’s connectivity, engagement and inclusion for our members. The conference provides a platform for players to reflect on the way the high-performance system is operating in their own environment and across the country, to share experiences and insights which will help influence and shape the future of cricket environments in New Zealand.

The two-day conference saw 27 players converge from across the country, representing each of the men’s and women’s domestic and international teams. The workshop-style conference created space for open discussion on key issues, group collaboration, and direct conversation with personnel from NZC and the Major Associations.

Brad Rodden, Head of Player Services, led the conference and emphasised the importance of open and honest discussion, feedback and conversation. “The conference is one of the key times we get a good range of players with experience, passion and fresh thinking in the same room — and when we do, the conversations are powerful and constructive.

It’s about what’s working, what needs attention, and how we as a collective can drive progress. The insights and solutions that come out of this space have real impact, what we do from here is critical” said Rodden.

Major Conference Focus Areas

• Reflecting on insights from the annual Player Survey and exploring and discussing emerging themes.

• Evaluating the international and domestic high-performance environments and domestic competitions, with players sharing the group perspectives directly with NZC and Major Association representatives.

• Feedback on the Personal Development Programme and the BetterForm initiative. Coach Leadership Development Programme, and operations of The Cricketers’ Trust.

• Tom Moffat, WCA CEO, updated players on the work of WCA, highlighted key findings from the ‘WCA Global Game Structure Report’ and other matters impacting players in the global cricketing landscape.

Matt Henry spoke to the importance of the event in getting the playing group together, “With the nature of cricket these days, it’s pretty rare to get so many players together in one room — from international and the domestic teams, men and women. To be able to talk about how things are going, look at the survey results, and see where there’s consistency — that’s really valuable.

This conference gives us the chance to voice what’s working, where we’re struggling, and what needs improvement. The CPA plays a massive role in that. They help relay those messages to New Zealand Cricket, and that relationship is so important. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing — a great product, players being looked after, and to grow the game. Something like this helps make that happen through honest, constructive conversations.”

A key part of the conference was the discussion on the annual NZCPA Player Survey. Players examined high-level findings across the men’s and women’s groups, before breaking into their own Major Association groups to analyse results specific to their own environments. This enabled players to identify shared themes and tailor insights to their own MA experiences.

The format of the conference encouraged cross-team connection and collaborative thinking. Players were grouped to reflect on the current state of domestic competitions and the wider high-performance environment. On day two, each group presented their ideas back to the conference and relayed the key thoughts on major matters to NZC and MA representatives who attended the morning session. The feedback included player thought on what is working well, what needs improvement, and how to align on next steps to lift the professional cricket experience for all players.

Georgia Plimmer highlighted the value of connecting across the wider player group, “It’s been really cool to be in the same space as players from all the Major Associations even just chatting with guys from the Firebirds, comparing notes with the Blaze, seeing where things are similar or different.

As players, we’re the ones living and breathing these environments, so it’s important that we get to share what’s going well and where things can improve — whether that’s competitions, facilities, or support structures. These conversations help us think about how we can make things better not just for next season, but for the game long term. It’s about creating better environments and making sure more players feel welcomed, supported, and excited to be part of cricket.”

Another important focus was the NZCPA’s Personal Development Programme. Led by Lesley Elvidge and the Personal Development team, the session facilitated discussion on the new BetterForm health and wellbeing members programme, the Coach and Leadership Development Programme, and the exceptional work The Cricketers’ Trust is doing helping past players who have fallen on hard times. Players were encouraged to think beyond the game, with a view to sustainable careers and personal wellbeing both during and after their playing journeys.

Tom Moffat, CEO of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) attended via an online link to outline key developments in the ‘WCA Global Game Structure Report’ and discussed major issues affecting the international player landscape, including scheduling pressures, global league trends, and the future direction of the game. His update helped connect the experiences of New Zealand players with the broader global context, reinforcing the importance of collective player representation in the rapidly changing global environment.

Overall, the 2025 Players’ Conference was a massive success - once again showcasing the strength of player collective views. Through shared experiences, robust conversation, and connection across teams and environments, everyone left with a better sense of where we are now, what needs to improve or evolve, and what steps are involving in getting there. .

It will be a busy period before the next home summer as we carry these conversations forward with the various stakeholders within wider cricket environment and seek to continue improvements to the game in New Zealand.