Quake forces Magicians coach into lengthy commute

Living in Ruakaka and working in Christchurch could see Stephen Cunis amass some serious frequent flyer points if he continues coaching the Canterbury women's cricket team, the Magicians.
After the February 22 shake completed wrecking his Christchurch home that was begun in the September earthquake, Cunis brought his wife Kara and family to live in Ruakaka with his mother.
With a red-stickered house and massive damage to their land they had little choice than to put their lives on hold until their insurance claim is settled but Cunis is hoping that one part of his life in Christchurch can continue.
"I don't want to give up the Magicians because we played so well last year to win both competitions and I think the girls have got so much more to offer and I'm pretty keen to get them back into a position where they're playing quality cricket," he said.
If successful, it will be the third season he has taken the side. Rebuilding them in the first year and taking them to success in both the Twenty20 and the 50-over competitions in 2010.
"I want to keep moving from the success of this year and win more competitions and to do that we've got to get better and better, so that's a massive challenge for me and I want to stay with the team if I can," he said.
Given the chaos in Christchurch, and with the cost and logistics of keeping him as coach, the decision won't be an easy one for Canterbury cricket.
"There will certainly be a fair amount of time spent on flights between here and Christchurch but I'm keen and so are they, so hopefully we can come to some agreement," Cunis said.
The son of the late Northland cricket legend Bob Cunis played more than 100 first grade games and 40 first class matches for Canterbury before beginning coaching under former skipper and mentor Gary Stead.
Under Stead, Cunis became assistant coach of the White Ferns - the New Zealand women's team - some 18 months ago but the position is on a contract or part-time basis.
"It's a great job and it's taught me a lot in terms of my coaching and Gary has always been a mentor, so being able to work alongside him with the White Ferns has been good for me."
More air miles beckon for Cunis as he joins the team for their Rosebowl series against the Australians next month, ahead of the four-nation series between the White Ferns, England, Australia and India in England during June and July.
The Northland Cricket Association have been quick to offer support to the former Northland representative and Cunis has discussed employment opportunities with CEO Gary Bell.
"We're trying to come up with a plan of attack and hopefully that all falls into place and I'd be really excited if it did, I'd love to get involved with cricket up here and try and help Northland Cricket as much as I can."