19 Mar 2026When Barry Cooper was first approached about becoming the new president of the Northern Districts Cricket Association his initial reaction was typically self-deprecating: “I thought ‘s**t, that’s not me’. I’ve been part of ND for years but I’m not really a president type.”
In fairness, he hadn’t really considered what being president would entail and when he took a closer look he realised that he was, in fact, a pretty good fit to fill a role that is part-ceremonial and larger part relationship building.
“I read the role description and thought ‘yeah I can easily do that’ - and I’m thrilled to be taking it on!”
A handy bat and part time off-spinner, Barry made a combined 142 first class and Shell Cup appearances for ND over a 15-year career, highlighted by an undefeated century against Mike Gatting’s touring England team in 1988.
Born and bred in Whangarei, Barry attended Onerahi Primary School, Whangarei Intermediate and Whangarei Boys, playing his club cricket for Onerahi Central.
“I’ve lived here, stayed here and I’ll get carried out of here one day,” the former coach, long-serving selector and life member of Northland Cricket says.
“I just love the north and Northern Districts area, I really do. I got selected for ND under 15s or 16s and I’m 67 now so that is 52 years I’ve been involved. I’m staunch ND.”
Of course, things were very different in Barry’s era when top level cricket was played for joy, camaraderie – and an occasional free lunch.
“Back then there was no money involved. We were playing for the love of the game. When you were at a game they gave you lunch, but when you weren’t playing we used to get a $10 note and a $2 coin from the manager for lunch and that was it. It was great.
“I think it is fantastic now that cricket is a job for a lot players but back I worked for a living and the joy was in playing cricket in my time off. It was such a thrill, an absolute pleasure.”
Nurturing the vital relationships between ND’s six district associations will be his major focus, says Barry.
“I want to make sure that there is no animosity there and that ND is great place to play cricket and one happy camp. That is absolutely crucial.
“If we fill it up with happy cricketers down at the lower levels they will poke out the top eventually.
“We’ve been strong and I want us to continue to be strong and be an association everyone is proud to be part of. We want to go out and compete hard but also be an association that is full of good people who demonstrate respect for the game.”
His first initiative as president has been to plan a function on Sunday of the Plunket Shield season to recognise the vital role played by the parents of the players who have delivered this season’s on-field successes, which have included a first ever Hallyburton Jonhstone Shield title and a record-tying fifth Super Smash title.
“I thought ‘why don’t show the parents some love’? Everyone thought ‘what a good idea’ and that is taking shape now.”
Having retired 18 months ago after over 30 years as an account manager for Lion Breweries and then Hancocks, Barry now has time on his hands to indulge his passion for watching Plunket Shield Cricket.
That meant he was on-hand in Napier to watch son Henry become an unfortunate part of cricket history when the ND opener was dismissed as the first of what would be a world first five wickets in five balls taken by CD seamer Brett Randell.
“I was sitting there watching it with an old mate I used to place against, Stu Duff. Henry started it all – he got bowled on the last ball of Randell’s over and then the next four wickets came from the first four balls of his next over.
“It was absolutely freakish!”
Outgoing president Jeff Freeman fully endorsed his successor as he stepped down after nine years in the role.
“Barry has a lot of credibility,” says Jeff. “He was a very good player and he is still involved in cricket. He’s a top man who is well connected throughout Northern Districts so I thought it was a really good call by the board to ask him to do it.”
This season’s HBJ Shield breakthrough was one of the highlights of his tenure, says Jeff, a former ND board chair who has racked up a half century of involvement with the association.
“The incredible improvement in the women’s game really stands out. We struggled for years in the women’s game but we have done very well over the last couple of years and to win our first trophy this year was a real highlight.
“The thing I am most proud of is the way we develop players and bring them through. We’ve done really well at that over the 50 years I have been involved with ND.
“We punch well above our weight.”
Northern Districts chief executive Ken Rutherford said it wasn’t a difficult decision to choose Barry as Jeff’s successor.
‘We’re incredibly fortunate at ND to have a great network of people who are tremendous servants of the game and the association,” Rutherford said.
“Like he said himself, Barry is staunch ND and also a tremendous, approachable bloke who epitomises what ND cricket is all about. It’s fantastic to have him on board to fill Jeff’s considerable boots and it’s great to see he’s already making an impact.”
