Winter Edition of Outright - Out Now

As each season draws to a close it’s a natural time for reflection on the experiences and moments that have shaped the year. Amid the end of season flurry the players are involved in a range of feedback avenues which the CPA collate and communicate within the various high performance environments.

Following on from team meetings in each of the 14 teams and the annual Player Survey, the Players’ Conference provided a chance for players to consider, debate and consolidate the

collective feedback from players. Held in Auckland in April, the conference brought together close to 30 players, with leading players representing each domestic and international team

across the two days. The conference saw players dissect the survey results from team, Major Association and national team perspective, with honest conversation about the key themes, future opportunities, and identified areas for improvement.

One consistent topic that is prevalent within the playing group is the acceleration of franchise cricket opportunities that are being presented to more and more players, as the global cricketing landscape changes in front of them. Tom Moffat, CEO of the World Cricketers' Association, talked about the recently released WCA Global Game Structure Report during the conference, which led to vibrant discussion about the topic. Throughout the conference players collaborated and shared their experiences within the men’s and women’s environments and reaffirmed their commitment to the work WCA and CPA are doing to ensure that every player feels informed, empowered, and connected to the future of their sport.

As the landscape of cricket continues to evolve, so too does the lives of our players. In this edition of Outright, we’re proud to highlight some of the exceptional stories that extend beyond

the white picket fence.

We begin with Wellington Blaze’s Sam Mackinder, who has taken her Bachelor of Molecular Cell Biology into the world of animal health, producing vaccines at Merck Sharp & Dohme. Her journey is a compelling example of how players’ lives are developing meaningfully alongside their cricket.

We hear directly from Ajaz Patel in our feature article as he reflects on the time spent with the recent NZ Trade delegation visit to India, and his perspective on that experience on the efforts to advance business and diplomatic ties with India.

We also reflect on the professional careers of three former players, Will Somerville, George Worker, and Mark Richardson, who have each stepped into roles in finance and investment. Their individual path into the industry is as varied as their cricketing careers and we get a snapshot of how they are enjoying this exciting time in their new profession.

The end of season also draws an end to the playing careers of some. Our Pulling Stumps article acknowledges those players who are turning to a new chapter in their lives as we recognise their onfield contributions. We hope you enjoy the stories in this edition of Outright, and that they leave you feeling as inspired as we are by the people who make our game what it is. Click here to read.

Nga - mihi nui,

NZCPA