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Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Change vital to stay relevant: Coggan
These appear to be turbulent times at Otago Cricket as coaches, players and staff members choose to leave the province. Signs of a crisis? Or nothing to see here? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi reports. Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan has dismissed suggestions a raft of departures reflects poorly on the leadership at the organisation. The association has been beset by a run of high-profile departures during the past 18 months. They have backfilled some of those positions. Former Black Caps coach Gary Stead was named interim coach of the Otago Volts recently. He replaces Ashley Noffke, who confirmed his departure earlier this month. Noffke left with a year to run on his contract to pursue an unexpected international opportunity. He had replaced Dion Ebrahim, who also left a year into his two-year extension, sparking rumours he had been pushed out of the role and collected a payout on the way out the door. Volts assistant Ben McCord left quietly towards the end of last season and, like Ebrahim, has not spoken publicly about his departure. Sparks coach Craig Cumming left during the season to take up an opportunity in the United Kingdom. He has been replaced by Welshman Gareth Davies. Leading all-rounder and former Volts captain Dean Foxcroft has transferred to Central Districts, and star Otago batter Dale Phillips has returned to Auckland. Middle-order batter Leo Carter was one and done and has rejoined Canterbury. A steady stream of general staff have slipped out the door during the past 10 years as well. Perhaps as many as five a year, which is a lot for what is a relatively small operation. It paints a picture of an association that is struggling to retain key talent and staff. One seasoned observer noted perhaps as many as 40-plus general staff had come and gone during the past decade, while another felt that estimate was probably on the low side. Coggan said, in an emailed response to questions, no-one had raised any concerns with him about the culture of the OCA. "Staff turnover is reasonably expected in our industry," Coggan said. "Our workforce includes several short to medium fixed-term contracts across community and performance cricket. "That's a conscious decision we make to give us the flexibility to respond to changing needs and priorities. "Additionally, many of our team members are young and early in their careers, and it's natural for young professionals to explore new opportunities and experiences. "While we always aim to retain great people, we also take pride in helping develop the next generation of talent — many of whom have gone on to make a real impact elsewhere in the sector, including at New Zealand Cricket. "We monitor turnover carefully and remain focused on maintaining a strong, supportive team culture that delivers consistent results." Some people contacted by the Otago Daily Times for this story felt Coggan is more focused on the bottom line than the people involved, one source describing it as "a trail of destruction". "He's been there a long time and perhaps it's time for a bit of a change there as well." Another source felt you only needed to "look at the amount of people that have left and the good people that are no longer there" to get a sense of the environment. Eighteen months ago, Otago great Ken Rutherford launched a broadside at the organisation in a passionate email to the Otago Daily Times . "You just have to look at the player turnover in the past five years. [That is] enough to sound alarm bells," he wrote. "Why are players leaving? Has anyone ever asked? "Clearly, certain players see a better pathway for their individual development away from Otago. "Their own personal ambition is not being satisfied by remaining in Otago." Foxcroft felt his career was better served at Central Districts because he would be surrounded by more experienced players who would help lift his game. But he was very careful not to fire any departing shots. Coggan, however, seemed to suggest Foxcroft was pushed. "In professional sport, players will always explore opportunities that they feel are best for their careers, and that's part of the landscape we operate in," he said. "While Foxcroft had expressed a commitment to staying in Otago, it became clear that our team values and direction weren't fully aligned, and that's OK. "We're building a culture based on honesty, accountability, and shared purpose, and we're very confident and excited in the new players that will come into our group. "When someone chooses a different path, we respect that. But we also back the environment we're creating here and the people who want to be part of it." Central Districts opener Jack Boyle, Wellington batter Troy Johnson and Auckland seamer Danru Ferns have signed with Otago this season, so the traffic has not been all one-way. And there is always tension within a team. Newly minted Black Caps coach Rob Walter rubbed up against some of the senior Otago players early during his five-year stint in the province. Jimmy Neesham and Neil Wagner moved on at the end of the 2017-18 season. Players can and do leave in bunches, and they leave for a variety of reasons. Coaches come and go as well. "We understand, that from the outside, change can sometimes raise questions," Coggan said. "But from our perspective ... we're making deliberate shifts to position Otago Cricket for long-term success, on and off the field. "Change is never easy, but it's often necessary to stay relevant, modern, and aligned with where the game is heading. "We're focused on building a strong and sustainable future, and while that does involve some transition, it's being driven with clear intent and a real sense of direction." Otago Cricket The recently departed Ashley Noffke: Pursuing international opportunities Ben McCord: Christchurch Craig Cumming: (United Kingdom) Dion Ebrahim: (Christchurch) Dean Foxcroft: Central Districts Dale Phillips: (Auckland) Leo Carter: Canterbury
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘Privilege' to coach Volts
Ashley Noffke. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Former coach Ashley Noffke says it was a "privilege" to coach the Volts for a season, and he leaves with nothing but fond memories. Noffke left his post halfway through a two-year deal to pursue an international coaching opportunity with Pakistan. The Australian has since been relatively quiet but said in a tribute on LinkedIn that he was grateful for his time with Otago. "I want to make public that while I wasn't looking for another opportunity, one came my way," Noffke wrote. "While I'm grateful for what lies ahead, I'm equally saddened to be leaving Otago Cricket with time still left on my contract; something that I had never planned to do. "I was excited about the year we were all building toward together and I am confident that the team and organisation are in great hands moving forward." Noffke said he had the "deepest gratitude" for everyone at the Otago Cricket Association. He directed a message of thanks to the players he worked with for a single summer. "It's been incredibly rewarding to see how hard each of you has worked this past season, not only on your individual skills but in coming together around a shared purpose. "Your commitment, resilience and hunger to improve have driven us forward and delivered some fantastic wins and achievements across the season. "It was also brilliant to see so many players make their debut this year ... adding an exciting dimension to the team and the future of Otago Cricket. "There's so much talent here in Otago." He made special mention of captain Luke Georgeson and vice-captain Max Chu. Noffke said the OCA staff had displayed "unwavering passion and commitment" to the cause. He highlighted the support of OCA high performance general manager Steve Martin. "The quiet, behind-the-scenes actions of people like Steve and his wife Wendy, and the many players and staff who went out of their way to welcome and support us — from setting up our house (even putting the furniture together), turning on the heating in winter and greeting us with a friendly smile — were small gestures that meant more than they'll ever know. "While I lived fulltime in New Zealand, my family travelled between Australia and New Zealand to be with me. "It wasn't always easy, but we were committed to making it work, and the support and warmth we received from Otago Cricket made all the difference. "Otago is truly a family-focused organisation." Former Black Caps coach Gary Stead is overseeing the Volts in an interim role while the OCA works on making a permanent appointment.
Otago Daily Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Volts in market for coach after Noffke's exit
Ashley Noffke is one and done with the Otago Volts. The Australian coach has resigned his position with the Otago Cricket Association with immediate effect. It is not exactly a huge shock, as it was revealed recently Noffke had been given leave to join Pakistan as an assistant coach and the OCA was unsure whether he would return to fulfil the second year of his contract with the Volts. Still, it means Otago are looking for a third coach in as many seasons, and that is not often a recipe for a stable environment. Otago Cricket performance general manager Steve Martin said Noffke was permitted leave to take up the opportunity offered by Pakistan's new head coach, former Volts and Black Caps coach Mike Hesson. Noffke served as bowling coach for Pakistan in their recently completed series against Bangladesh. While there has been no official announcement, it seems likely the Australian has been given reasonable indication he is a contender for a permanent role with the national team. That is always going to be a significant carrot, especially as it may mean Noffke will have to spend less time away from his family in Australia. Noffke came to Otago from women's cricket, where he was coaching the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash and the London Spirit in The Hundred. He played one ODI and two T20s for Australia, and took 386 wickets in 118 first-class games and 138 wickets in 121 list-A games. In his single season in the South, Noffke guided the Volts to one win from eight Plunket Shield games, five wins and five losses in the Ford Trophy, and four wins in 10 Super Smash games. Those might sound like moderate results but there were some signs the Volts were taking some positive steps, and new players were blooded. Martin highlighted the "great progress" Noffke had made over the past year in the development of players and the team. "Ash has been instrumental in the development of our players whose improvement throughout the 2024-2025 season was clearly noticeable," Martin said in a statement. "His people management skills, his game knowledge and his drive for improvement created confidence in players and support staff. "As much as we are sad to see Ash leave, our men's high-performance programme has grown considerably as a result of his efforts." Otago Cricket has immediately advertised for the role and expects to have a replacement head coach in place within the next two months. Cricket never really stops, so the association is "progressing with an interim winter coaching resource" ahead of the appointment of a permanent head coach. The extra complicating factor is that Otago was some way down the track to finding an assistant coach, following the departure of Ben McCord, to work with Noffke. Any firming up of an assistant's role will presumably now have to wait until a new kingpin is in place. It is all change at Otago Cricket headquarters following news late last week that Welshman Gareth Davies was inbound to be the new Sparks coach.
