Waiotira Black Cap Tim Southee will attend Saturday's Northland junior cricket registration day, giving the fast bowler a chance to stay in touch with the region's emerging talent.
"You don't mind giving back [to the local game] because it's where we all came from - everyone starts at that age andthey all dream of being a Black Cap, so you never know, there may a couple of guys there on Saturday morning that'll go on and play for New Zealand one day," he said.
He remembers being a starry-eyed youngster looking up to "local icon" Joey Yovich - who he now plays alongside when he turns out for Northern Districts - so he said it makes sense that he might later play alongside some of Whangarei's future stars.
"It's a matter of putting in the hard work, really. While I think everyone's got different levels of natural ability - that will only get you so far - it's working hard that really gets you ahead in the game," he said.
Saturday's registration day at Cobham Oval will be a big contrast to the New Zealand Cricket Awards that Southee attended last week.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori dominated the awards once again but Southee was nominated in one category.
"It was the fans choice award - a new award that recognises outstanding performances throughout the season and I was nominated for that death bowling in that Twenty20 match [against Australia] in Christchurch," he said.
It was one of the most memorable performances of the season with Australia almost certain of winning the match until Southee halted them with six balls of perfect line and length in the final over. Coincidentally, it was the stunning century by Brendan McCullum in the same match that won the award.
Southee has been included in the Black Caps team to play five ODIs in Bangladesh in October and the 21-year-old is very keen to cement his spot in the team ahead of a full tour of India in November including a a three-test series, as well as a five-match ODI series.
Southee will address the young Northland players at the Mark Cromie Indoor Cricket Centre some time after registration starts at 10am. All junior players up to high school age can be registered with all the local cricket clubs welcoming new players.
