8 Apr 2026Northern Districts Cricket and Indoor Cricket Northern Districts are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the two organisations work together to grow participation and strengthen player development opportunities across the Northern Districts region.
The three-year agreement reflects a shared commitment to providing more year-round cricket opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. A key focus of the partnership is to support the growth of junior participation, along with increased engagement for women and girls, while strengthening the connection between indoor and outdoor cricket pathways.
Through the partnership, Northern Districts Cricket will support the promotion of indoor cricket competitions, leagues, and representative programmes through its communication channels, while collaborating on aligned player development initiatives. Indoor Cricket Northern Districts will work closely with Northern Districts Cricket to support participation growth and contribute to joint initiatives designed to enhance the overall cricket experience in the region.
Both organisations share a strong commitment to creating positive, inclusive environments where players can develop their skills, build confidence, and enjoy the social benefits of the game. The partnership reflects a collective ambition to keep players connected to cricket throughout the year.
The agreement will also see collaboration on shared projects, including the promotion of tournaments and competitions.
Peter Zanzottera – Community Manager Northern Districts Cricket
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for cricket in our region. Indoor cricket provides a great environment for skill development, connection, and year-round participation. By working together with Indoor Cricket Northern Districts, we can create more opportunities for players to stay involved in the game, develop their skills, and enjoy everything cricket has to offer. We’re looking forward to building something positive together for our communities.”
Paul Anderson – Chairman Indoor Cricket Northern Districts Inc
“We are extremely excited to formalise this partnership with Northern Districts Cricket. Indoor Cricket provides young players with a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills, stay connected to the game during the winter months, and enjoy playing with their friends.
Our indoor cricket community has taken great pride in seeing the Northern Districts women side win the Hally Burton Johnstone Shield. The final had twelve players across the two teams who represented New Zealand at indoor cricket during their teenage years. Marama Downes is the current New Zealand Indoor Cricket captain. Brave captain Jess Watkins developed many outdoor skills while playing in multiple age group Indoor Cricket World Cups.
We’ve seen the tremendous success of the partnership between Cricket Wellington and Wellington Indoor Cricket, and we’re excited to follow suit. Our junior girls program has doubled in size in the past 12 months, alongside growth in the boys game. With this agreement and the opportunities it will create, we believe the growth will only continue to strengthen.”
