Jake Soanes (Chair)
Jake is a very experienced business leader having spent over 20 years within the Financial Services industry in numerous locations around the globe. On return to New Zealand previous roles included the General Manager for Northland Cricket. Regular travel allows the opportunity to watch various levels of cricket across the Northern Districts region. This provides Jake with considerable insight and understanding of the challenges faced from grassroots to high performance. He is deeply passionate about the game and through experience and knowledge looks forward to supporting Northern Districts in a successful inclusive future by creating new memories and adding to its rich history. Jake resides in the Bay of Islands. The birth place of cricket in New Zealand.
Braedon Makgill
Born and bred in Cambridge, currently living with his wife and two boys in Tamahere, Braedon has had a cricket bat and ball in his hands for as long as he can remember. As a player, manager, coach, scorer and now in the governance context this has been a large part of his life. Being involved at DA and MA level as a player for Thames Valley and Northern Districts, and Chairman and Board Member at Counties Manukau over many years gives Braedon a deep understanding of our region. He also brings wider governance and executive level experience from a varied background. In sports this has also included Football and Harness Racing, as well as professionally from a Property and Project Management point of view across Construction, Land Development and Health, Operational Management within customs and as a business owner. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors. Braedon brings a passion for seeing Cricket become a sustainable part of NZ's culture now and into the future.
Hana-Rae Seifert
Hana-Rae's time both inside and outside of the ropes gives her a unique perspective and understanding of the sporting industry. Her time as an athlete (golfer), solicitor, and working at some of the world's largest sporting events while in London at the International Management Group (IMG), positioned her well for her current role as General Manager of the NZ Sport Collective. Hana-Rae currently works with over 50 National Sporting Organisations and events rights holders in the broadcast, commercial and marketing space. As a solicitor, she also covered sales and marketing law, Intellectual Property and governance related matters. Hana-Rae is currently completing her MBA and is passionate about promoting women in governace. The love of cricket runs strong in her family and she looks forward to helping grow the game.
Ben Sandford
Ben was born and raised in Rotorua where he now works as a lawyer at Sandford Wall Lawyers. He competed in skeleton at 3 Winter Olympics for New Zealand and has been the chairperson of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Athlete Committee, the Drug Free Sport NZ Athlete Commission and a member of the NZOC Athlete Commission. He has extensive experience in sport governance and athlete representation including having been the Vice President of Legal Affairs at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Ben has an Executive Masters in International Sports Law from ISDE in Madrid and moved back to Rotorua in 2016 where he is involved in a wide range of community organisations and trusts, and still tries to play senior premier cricket every weekend during the summer.
Rebecca Baldwin
Rebecca is a Chartered Accountant with experience in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Rebecca's current executive role is leading the finance and business functions at Enrich Group, a not-for-profit family of organisations supporting people with disabilities and neurodiversities. Rebecca has a passion for building great teams, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring sustainable functions within organisations. Rebecca first became involved with the Northern Districts Cricket Association (NDCA) during a fixed-term role as Finance Manager, where she gained valuable insight into the organisation’s financial and operational landscape. Eager to continue contributing to NDCA, Rebecca is passionate about supporting sustainable growth and long-term success within the cricket community. Living in the Waikato with her husband and two young boys, Rebecca is committed to fostering positive change and is dedicated to helping the Northern Districts region thrive.
Jane Bennett
Jane has strong connections to the Northern Districts region, growing up in the Bay of Plenty and now residing in Counties Manukau with her family. In her professional career she has experience across the marketing and commercial function in an array of industries and more recently sports administration in her role as General Manager for Stars Netball. Jane cares deeply about the role sports plays in supporting our communities to thrive and looks forward to contributing to ND's purpose of a game for all, a game for life.
Karina McLuskie
Karina is an experienced lawyer with over 16 years in the legal profession. Before establishing her own practice, she was a partner at a prominent New Zealand law firm. Born and raised in the Waikato, Karina is deeply committed to supporting her local community. She is an enthusiastic advocate for sport at all levels and has previously held governance roles within both community and regional sporting organisations. Karina resides in Hamilton with her husband and two sons, and she looks forward to making a positive contribution to the Northern Districts Cricket Association.
