‘We’ve got polished umpires now’

What do cricket’s Luan Kloppers, Brett Sorrenson and Ryan Majstrovic have in common?

The answer is that regional umpires coordinator Kloppers, Northern Districts pathway manager Sorrenson and Poverty Bay committee member Majstrovic could not be happier with the way in which the Northern Districts under-19 tournament has unfolded in Gisborne this week.

Kloppers and his development panel umpires — panel mentor Bryan Keightley (Bay of Plenty), Poverty Bay umpires director Jason Trowill, Stu Patrick (PB), Daniel Stewart (PB), Phil Reed (BoP), Andre North (Counties-Manukau), Jack Fraser-Jones (Hamilton) and Lyall Coleman (Ham) — have worked studiously and well in standing for the eight teams involved at the Harry Barker Reserve over the past five days.

“We came into the tourney with three objectives — which we achieved — in process, position and having fun,” Kloppers said.

“We’ve got polished umpires now and they’ve had a wonderful time.”

ND pathway manager Brett Sorrenson, who played here for BoP Coastlands during the Kane Williamson age-group era, paid tribute to the effort made by local administrators and volunteers.

“The tournament in Gisborne is a highlight of our calendar because of the quality of the on-field and off-field experience,” he said.

“A significant part of my playing and coaching development took place here alongside the mates I made and still have today. Everyone loves coming here because Poverty Bay’s a special district association. Development officer and competitions coordinator Joey Turner is committed to not just Poverty Bay but Northern Districts cricket day in, day out. The Poverty Bay under-19 team that he’s been the coach of here this week has definitely benefited from the environment that he and they have created. It’s exciting to think of where they could be in 12 months.”

The prayers of Poverty Bay committee member Ryan Majstrovic were answered . . . good weather came to the party for all involved this week.

Majstrovic said: “On behalf of the Poverty Bay Cricket Association, we’re relieved that the tournament could go ahead; we’re overjoyed that it’s been possible to get five good days of cricket in because we’re committed to helping young players.”