Cricket: ND proud to be a breeding ground of cricketing talent

By Terry Maddaford

While not taking all the credit for the number of Northern Districts players popping up in representative cricket teams around the country, ND chief executive John Turkington does point to his association's long-term coaching and development strategy in producing so many first class players.

In last week's opening Shell Trophy round, 22 players, including the 12-strong ND squad, containing current or former Northern connections turned out.

Gareth Hopkins (Canterbury) and Scott Styris (ND) notched maiden first-class centuries, Tim Anderson (Central Districts), Stephen Cunis (Canterbury) and ND's Hamish Marshall and Graeme Aldridge made their first-class debuts.

Four of the six wicketkeepers - ND captain Robbie Hart, Hopkins, Martyn Sigley (CD) and Martyn Croy (Otago) - fashioned their skills through Northern's coaching and development programme.

Four other players with close Northern ties - Simon Doull, Daniel Vettori, Dion Nash and Trophy double-centurion Matthew Bell - were members of the victorious Black Caps in the one-day international in Dunedin.

Other ND products in the opening Trophy round were Bryan Young and Richard Morgan (Auckland), Mark Jefferson (Wellington) and David Blake (CD).

"We have no problem with players transferring to other associations for genuine reasons," said Turkington, "but naturally, we want to protect our coaching and development programme."

Northern were pathfinders when they first used an indoor net under the old stand at the then Seddon Park in the winter of 1977 to ensure a year-round coaching programme.

"That was the start and we have gone on from there," said Turkington, who began as Northern's executive officer 15 seasons ago. "We now have a network of coaches through our seven minor associations who work under their directors of coaching.

"We have some activity for an age-group squad - boys or girls - most weekends from July to September each year. We receive $50,000 from the Waikato Community Trust, which is supported by the WestpacTrust Bank, and this is used by the Hamilton, Thames Valley and Midlands associations for their programmes."

Turkington said that while his association took some satisfaction from seeing young players from their catchment area succeed, some, like Croy, were forced to move on.

"With Robbie Hart our first-choice wicketkeeper, it was obvious the others had to move on if they were to play at this level.

"Departures of top players means the pressure to perform is not always there," said Turkington, "On the other hand, when a player like Bell moves on, there is a place for someone else."