Prabodha Arthavidu Confirmed as Northland Pathway & Talent Coach

Former Sri Lanka U19 cricketer and First-Class player, Prabodha Arthavidu, has been appointed as the new Northland Pathway & Talent Coach within the Northern Districts Cricket Association. 

Arthavidu represented Sri Lanka U19 in 2010 before embarking on a First-Class career. After moving to New Zealand in 2013, he represented South Canterbury, Marlborough, and Horowhenua-Kapiti at District Representative level, playing over 60 matches and scoring more than 3,500 runs.

Transitioning into coaching, Arthavidu gained significant international experience between 2020 and 2022 in Bahrain, serving as High Performance Coach, Assistant Coach of the Men’s National Team, Head Coach of the Women’s National Team, and U19 Youth Coach. During this period, Bahrain’s men’s team qualified for their first-ever T20 World Cup Qualifiers, while the women’s team achieved four world records. 

Since returning to New Zealand in late 2022, Arthavidu has been based in Horowhenua-Kapiti where he worked as Director of Cricket and contributed as both player and coach for the Senior Representative side, helping the team secure back-to-back Cave Cup titles.

For Arthavidu, the first step is building connections. “I’m really looking forward to engaging with the players across Northland and developing strong relationships. I’ve heard positive things about the region’s playing culture and I can’t wait to get started,” he said. 

“My focus is to support and guide emerging talent by creating a clear pathway for players to grow and succeed. I want to facilitate a safe, engaging, and challenging environment where athletes can become the best versions of themselves, both on and off the field.” 

“I believe in a player-first approach, where development goes hand-in-hand with enjoyment. My philosophy is about balancing technical skill development with resilience, teamwork, and leadership, helping athletes not only perform on the field but also achieve long-term success in the game.” 

Ian Sandbrook, Head of Cricket at Northern Districts, believes Arthavidu is a natural addition to the programme. “Artha brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience across pathway and district cricket in New Zealand. A former First-Class player in Sri Lanka, he has since made a real impact in South Canterbury, Marlborough, and Horowhenua-Kapiti. He’s an aspiring coach who is ready for the next step in his career through our pathway and talent system.” 

Northland Cricket Association General Manager, Neal Parlane, echoed the sentiment. “Artha’s understanding of New Zealand’s District Association space was a huge attraction. He knows how to operate in environments like ours and has a proven ability to connect with players at every stage of the pathway. The Northland community is excited to see him hit the ground running, building strong relationships and inspiring young cricketers to reach their potential.”

Arthavidu will be based in Northland as he steps into his new role, helping to guide the next generation of Northern Districts cricketers.