Player Recruitment - New Zealand Cricket

6. ENTERING SCHOOL TEAMS IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONSSince 1990 the nationalsecondary school boys’GILLETTE CUP competition hasprovided a great opportunity forschools to enter their firstelevens and play other schoolsin their cricket association, andbeyond if they are able toadvance. The success of theGillette Cup later lead to theformation of similar nationalsecondary school competitions for girls [1994] and junior boys [2004] –both sponsored by the NEW ZEALAND COMMUNITY TRUST.Over 400 school teams are now entered in these competitions annuallywith eight in each contest going on to play in the national finals’tournaments. These competitions provide high quality options for schoolsto profile the game within their schools and communities and to elevatetheir players into representative cricket. For example, 45 first class playersand 11 Black Caps have represented their schools in the Gillette Cupfinals.Many schools also organise additional INTERSCHOOL FIXTURES fortheir teams, and/or participate in local or regional competitions [eg. CentralNorth Island ‘Super 8’ competition], and/or take their senior and/ordeveloping teams overseas to play in international tournaments or againsta range of schools or age group selections. There is no doubt that theprofile and publicity surrounding these, especially the latter, highlight aschool’s cricket programme and act as a major recruitment and retentionstrategy, particularly for the keen, talented player.7. QUALITY FACILITIESThere is no doubt that having high quality turf and/or artificial pitches is amust for players being able to perform at their best and enjoy theirinvolvement. This is further reinforced by having well surfaced andmaintained practice nets. If players cannot practice properly and play onwell prepared pitches, then they will frequently opt to do something elsethat is more rewarding. Practice and playing surfaces should be thenumber one priority for cricket in secondary schools if they are tosuccessfully promote, grow and sustain the game.8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTIt is important to recognise and celebrate success at all levels of thegame. The performances of teams and individuals should be highlighted23