Latest news with #SophieDevine
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
King's Birthday Honours: 'Wild' how far women's cricket has come
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine. Photo: Marty Melville White Ferns captain Sophie Devine has witnessed the dramatic increase in opportunities afforded to female cricketers, but has also seen the downsides of a packed schedule. Devine has been reflecting on her career since being recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for services to cricket , which she describes as a huge honour. Devine was selected for the White Ferns in 2006 at age 17 and has become one of the sports most dominant players. Last year she led the White Ferns to their maiden T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates. The 35-year-old holds a number of records including becoming the first cricketer to score five consecutive 50-plus scores in T20's in the 2019/2020 season. The gains that female cricketers have made over the last decade have been extraordinary, given that back in 2014 the most a White Fern could earn was around $25,000 a year. The highest-ranked White Fern, who also plays a full domestic season, has the potential now to earn around $180,000. By the time New Zealand's best female cricketer Amelia Kerr gets paid to play in leagues around the world, including the lucrative WPL in India, she's pulling in half a million dollars a year. Devine said when she started out, she could never have imagined the opportunities which are now on offer in women's cricket. Sophie Devine playing for the White Ferns in 2006. Photo: PHOTOSPORT "It's been unbelievable, even the last five or six years it's gone to a completely another level. I always wished that we would be able to be full-time professionals but to see the money that's available now through some of these franchise competitions and the way that cricket boards around the world are starting to really invest in the women's game. I guess I'm most excited for what the future holds in terms of these youngsters coming through," Devine said. "When I first started playing for the White Ferns in 2006 I thought it was pretty cool that I got a bit of lunch money and things paid for in terms of flights and accommodation. "It's still got a long way to go ...it's part of the journey I think in terms of equal pay and things like that but it's been pretty wild to think about how far it has come." Since the start of the franchise cricket era, top players like Devine have also been sought after in competitions like Australia's Big Bash League and India's WPL. Increased opportunities have led to heavy workloads. "Last year after winning the T20 World Cup, less than 48 hours later we were on a plane to India and playing in a series a couple of days later and the Australian men were in a similar position a couple of years ago as well. "We know that's part of the job and why you get paid what you do ...it's a serious conversation that needs to be had in terms of the scheduling because it's only going to get busier. Hopefully we can manage it so that there are opportunities to allow players to get breaks, particularly young ones. I think of Melie Kerr, who could have another 10-15 year international career and you don't want to see her end her career early because she's burnt out. "Important that players take the opportunity to step away when they need to and not get sucked into the vacuum that can be not just international cricket but franchise cricket as well. You don't want to feel like you're missing out but your mind and body are your tools of your trade so it's a really important conversation that needs to be had." Devine took a two-month break from cricket earlier this year to give her own mind and body a rest, the second time she's taken a break in her career to prioritise her well-being. Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine celebrate last year's World Cup win. Photo: PHOTOSPORT She is excited about joining up with the White Ferns in camp in Christchurch this week, as the side starts its journey towards another pinnacle event, the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India later this year. Pinnacle events excite her as much as they did when she first joined the White Ferns. "Absolutely they do, I guess being a little bit older and wiser it's how do you manage those emotions and energy going into that because those pinnacle events are so big and they seem to roll around every year. I think for me it's about how do I manage my expectations and my energy levels." Sport has been a huge part of Devine's life and admits the thought of retirement scares her a little. "Yes, in all honesty, that's probably something I've been toying with for the last 12 months or so and what does that look like, trying to make that transition as smooth as possible. It's a pretty scary concept for a lot of athletes but I've had fantastic support. It's going to be very different to what I've done for over half of my life, which is travelling the world playing cricket, which I've been very fortunate to do." Devine knows that in retirement she wants to stay involved in sport. "There's so many more opportunities opening up in the women's game whether that's coaching, commentating, being involved in the media side of things. Fingers crossed I can stay involved in some way, I certainly feel I've got a lot to give back."
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
NZ cricket captains recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Tim Southee (left) and Sophie Devine. Photo: Photosport Current White Ferns captain Sophie Devine and former Black Caps captain Tim Southee have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. Both have been integral to their national sides and have become officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket. Devine, who is in the twilight of her career, was selected for the White Ferns in 2006 at 17 and has become one of the sports most dominant players. The 35-year-old holds a number of records including scoring the fastest ever 50, from 18 balls, in a women's T20. Last year she led the White Ferns to their maiden T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates. Southee made his Test cricket debut in 2008, and was the mainstay of the New Zealand attack in all three forms of the game until his retirement from international cricket in 2024. He appeared in four 50-over World Cups, and a World Test Championship Final. At the end of his career Southee had played 394 matches for the Black Caps across all formats, claiming 776 wickets. He is the only player in world cricket to claim more than 300 Test wickets, 200 ODI wickets and 100 T20 wickets, and is New Zealand's second most successful test cricket bowler with 385 Test wickets. Ellesse Andrews Photo: SW Pix / Four-time Olympic track cycling medallist Ellesse Andrews (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) has been recognised off the back of a huge 2024. Andrews won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Last year her two golds and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics made her New Zealand's sixth most successful Olympian. New Zealand's first Olympic medallist in BMX Racing has also been recognised in the King's birthday honours for services to BMX and sports governance. Sarah Walker won silver at the 2012 London Olympics. The 12-time BMX World Championship medallist started her sports governance journey while she was still competing. For eight years from 2016, Walker served on the IOC Athletes' Commission. Last year she was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as part of the governing body responsible for overseeing the Olympic Movement. Sarah Walker Photo: PHOTOSPORT One of the most well-known rugby players in the world has also been recognised. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahu) has been a leading figure in women's rugby union and sevens for over a decade. Woodman-Wickliffe, who recently came out of international retirement to have a crack at another Rugby World Cup, helped the Black Ferns to World Cup victories in 2017 and 2022. For the Black Ferns sevens, she helped secure gold medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. She has picked up two Women's Player of the Year awards in rugby union and in 2020 was named the Women's Sevens Player of the Decade. Former All Black Murray Mexted is now an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby. Mexted played 73 matches for the All Blacks between 1979 and 1985. He spent a couple of decades as a Sky TV rugby commentator post retirement, then founded the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) in 2001. Don Mackinnon, one of New Zealand's leading sports directors, has also joined the honours' list. Don Mackinnon Photo: Elias Rodriguez He's held several influential roles including serving as a director of Sport New Zealand, and director of High Performance Sport NZ. Mackinnon has also led several major independent reviews, including a report on the Silver Ferns disastrous 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign and a review into the All Whites failed World Cup qualifying campaign in 2022. The sports lawyer and governance expert now chairs the Sport Integrity Commission, which was sparked by the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore and a series of damning reviews into the country's elite sporting environments. A number of administrators and coaches have been recognised for decades of work in their respective sports, including swimming coach Clive Power, who led the New Zealand Swim Team on several tours. Lesley Huckins - became the first New Zealand female FINA (now known as World Aquatics) referee and officiated at three Olympic Games. Eugene Meredith - for his efforts to promote American Football in New Zealand since 1987. Bruce Ross - well-known cycling figure and Tour of Southland tour manager from 1985 to 2020. Ross Cooper - former Chiefs coach and All Blacks assistant coach from 1994 to 1998. Pauline-Jean Luyten - became the first Pacific woman to be appointed to the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Board in 2022 and is the Pasifika representative on NZR's Stakeholder Panel. Ronnie Thompson - a former Tall Fern, turned influential basketball coach and administrator.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Top Sportspeople Recognised With Honours
Minister for Sport and Recreation The King's Birthday 2025 Honours List recognises the outstanding depth of talent, dedication, and leadership across New Zealand's sport sector, says Sport and Recreation Minister, Mark Mitchell. 'I would like to particularly acknowledge the appointment of Catriona Williams as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. As a former top equestrian rider, she became a tetraplegic after a riding accident in 2002. She has since turned adversity into advocacy, founding The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust in 2005 and raising significant funds and awareness for spinal cord injury research. Two of our cricketing greats, Sophie Devine and Timothy Southee, have also been recognised as Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 'Sophie Devine has led the White Ferns through international campaigns, including a T20 World Cup win in 2024 and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She is a cricket icon and powerful role model for the next generation. 'Tim Southee's legacy in cricket is vast. He became the only player to have achieved 300 Test, 200 ODI, and 100 T20I wickets. His influence goes beyond the pitch, as a mentor and leader whose impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.' Sarah Walker has also been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to BMX and sport governance. 'Sarah's success spans from Olympic podiums to global sports leadership. As an Olympic silver medallist and now a member of the International Olympic Committee, she has championed athlete rights and inspired countless young New Zealanders.' Murray Mexted for his services to rugby, is another notable recipient. 'As a legend of the game, both on the field as a formidable All Black, and as a charismatic and influential voice in rugby commentary, his commitment to rugby in New Zealand is something we are all proud of. 'My congratulations to all our sportspeople honoured this year. Your contributions continue to shape New Zealand's sporting legacy and inspire us all,' says Mr Mitchell.
Newsroom
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsroom
‘I felt nothing': Devine's comeback after hitting empty
It was one of the finest displays of Sophie Devine's illustrious career – and yet, she felt nothing. She knew she had little choice but to turn her back on cricket and fly home. That late January day at Hagley Oval, Devine claimed a five-wicket haul for a miserly 13 runs – her best performance with the ball in a T20 match, international or domestic – bowling for the Wellington Blaze against the Canterbury Magicians. Her first-ever T20 five-for. But the newly crowned world champion was exhausted. And numb. 'It was a pretty big sign when there's no emotion attached to it,' she says. 'In any cricket when you get a five-wicket bag, you're going to be pretty happy. But for me, I felt absolutely nothing at all. 'Part of me feels a bit sad now that I'm in a better headspace. But that's just where I was at that time, trying so hard to manage things.' One of the most explosive allrounders the game has ever seen was unravelling. When a New Zealand Cricket Players Association rep at the game took one look at her and said, 'You need to go home', Devine couldn't argue. 'It was pretty obvious that I was in no state to keep trying to push through,' she says. 'For someone who's so incredibly passionate and competitive to have this feeling of numbness and trying to fight back the tears and stay present, it just wasn't possible anymore.' Straight after that game, a 10-wicket win to the Blaze (who went on to win the Super Smash title), the White Ferns captain was on a flight back to Perth, which is now her home. She arranged with New Zealand Cricket to take time away from the game, to prioritise her mental health and wellbeing – unsure if she'd ever return. Now, after a decent off-season break including a holiday in Bali with her partner, Devine is happy and refreshed, and open to talking about her mental health. 'It's never nice to see or hear someone going through it, but the more we can normalise it by talking about it, hopefully it might help – even if it's one person, it's something,' the 35-year-old allrounder says. 'Everyone's fighting their own battles, no matter what it looks like. You feel guilty because you're thinking, geez, I've got a dream job, I'm doing what I love, I get to travel the world and play cricket. Why should I be complaining when there are people out there who've got it so much tougher? 'But at the end of the day, it's what's relevant to you, and I think that's what's so important, is that everyone's story is so different, so unique to them, that you can never judge what people are going through, or how they handle it.' In a fortnight, Devine will fly back to New Zealand for a White Ferns camp in Christchurch. She's already looking ahead to the ODI World Cup in India in October. She heads to England in a couple of months to play another season of The Hundred, padding up for the Southern Brave for the first time. 'I'm excited, like your first day of school. Which seems funny because at 35, I've played cricket for long enough, you'd think I'd learn to know what it's like,' she laughs. 'But it's certainly a good sign that I still want to be playing.' Just how long that feeling will last – or how long her brilliant career spanning 298 internationals will continue – Devine doesn't know. 'It's been nice to take stock and plan ahead for the next 12 months to give it another good crack then see what happens.' Devine has never been afraid to talk about her depression. She took another two-month break from cricket in 2021, after a breakdown under the pressure of captaincy and a lack of confidence in her performance. (Her team-mate Melie Kerr took seven months out of the game that same year and now advocates for greater awareness and support around mental health.) Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine celebrate victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Over the past 12 months, Devine has been on the biggest rollercoaster ride of her 18-year professional career. In July, the White Ferns suffered eight straight losses to England (three ODIs, five T20Is); Devine tried to keep her emotions in check as she fronted for another losing captain's interview at Lord's. Going into the T20 World Cup in October, the Ferns had suffered 10 defeats on the trot. 'The month leading into it was just horseshit,' Devine says. She then experienced 'the greatest high of my life' – leading the written-off White Ferns to World Cup victory, stunning the favoured South Africans in the final; their first world title in 20 years. Days later, with no time to process the magnitude of what they'd just pulled off, Devine and the White Ferns were on a plane to India, dashing straight into an ODI series before they could return home to celebrate their historic World Cup win. Devine worked closely with her psychology support person on how to manage it, especially as a leader. 'One of the great things she said was not everyone is going to be able to give 100 percent, but you can give 100 percent of the 60 percent you're at that day, and that's all you can ask for,' she says. From there, Devine rushed into the Big Bash League in Australia, then returned home to New Zealand for another series against the Aussies. It all finally caught up with her. 'I thought I could get through it. I never want to miss playing cricket,' she says. 'But I was so burnt out and exhausted, with those couple of months leading into the World Cup and everything that came with it. 'I'm so lucky I have a really good support network with New Zealand Cricket and at home. We all came to the agreement I just needed that time out again. As soon as I made that decision, I knew it was the right one.' Yet she still had to deal with the overwhelming guilt, that she was letting her team down. 'I certainly preach around we care more about you as a person than as a cricketer, and sometimes I have to take my own advice. If I'm going to ask players to put themselves first, I need to do the same,' she says. 'That doesn't mean I'm not riddled with guilt, but I know trying to push through it is going to harm everyone.' The senior brigade of the White Ferns – Lea Tahuhu, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates – hold the T20 World Cup trophy. She struggled with missing the Super Smash grand final, then skipping the entire WPL season in India with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the White Ferns home series with Sri Lanka. 'The scary thing is you don't know when you step away if you're going to come back,' Devine, a White Fern since the age of 17, admits. 'You don't want to put timelines on it, and as an athlete that's really hard, because we've so focused on timelines, and pinnacle events. To not have that security is anxiety-inducing. 'We're all trying our best to figure out this thing called life, aren't we? I just had to allow that time to sit in it.' She spent some of her time-out doing yoga and playing golf. 'Because cricket has been so much of my life, I'm trying to find things away from it that give me enjoyment, and yoga is a cool space for me to do something completely different,' she says. 'I love walking into those classes and there's every type of person, body shape, age. There's an 80-year-old woman bending in half, and I'm barely able to touch my toes. 'Like a lot of cricketers, I really enjoy being able to whack a ball around a golf course as active recovery. I was reading, going to the beach, walking. It always blows people's minds, but I love being able to do the simple things like the washing and vacuuming.' Although retirement crossed her mind numerous times during her two-month break, Devine returned to the White Ferns in March, to play Australia in a T20I series, where they lost all three matches. 'There were so many conversations around whether I was ready, if I was in the right frame of mind to do it. But I certainly worked incredibly hard at home to get myself into a position to play,' she says. 'It was a challenging series and obviously it didn't go our way. But I'm really proud of the way I was able to show up and enjoy it as well. The White Ferns is such an incredible environment, and an incredible group of people who were so supportive and welcoming. It's a second family. I felt so cared for and loved, which made it a little bit easier. 'So I'm certainly ready to get back into things now, with another World Cup coming up.' In the final game of that series against Australia, at Wellington's Sky Stadium, tears poured down Devine's face as she sang the national anthem. Was she thinking it could be her last international on New Zealand soil? 'There was a lot of things behind those tears,' she admits. 'There was the pride of being able to get back out there and play at home. I had two nieces out there with me, which was so cool. My mum and sister were in the crowd too – we speak a lot about how important whānau and friends are to us. 'Before we walked out on to the field, I turned to our physio and said, maybe have a few tissues ready, because there are a lot of emotions swirling around. 'I don't know if that was my last game at home. I haven't made any plans around that.' Sophie Devine celebrates with the Kerr sisters as she takes another wicket in the 2025 Super Smash for Wellington Blaze. She's uncertain whether she will end her career with a pinnacle event, or rely on her body and mind to make that decision for her. 'It's a tough one because the body and mind are in a good place at the moment. I've very much taking it each day as it comes. As long as I'm still enjoying it and I'm still able to contribute – I don't want to be a burden on any team,' she says. 'As soon as I'm not doing that – and I'm hoping I know that before anyone else does – that's when I'll look to step away.' Devine has given up hope of ever playing test cricket for New Zealand, even as other nations have begun playing five-day internationals. 'Unfortunately, that's a pipe dream for me. But I still cross my fingers and toes for the younger group getting to play test cricket,' she says. 'It still really excites me – it's the ultimate format for cricketers.' It's the young players in the White Ferns who are keeping Devine 'excited and invested' in the team. She was once one of them. 'I've had to learn to use Snapchat coz that's the only way the younger ones communicate these days. There's the group of us who will be in bed by 8.30pm enjoying a cup of tea, while the youngsters are doing TikTok dances,' she says. 'You want to help support them – not hold their hand – but be there for them to lean on. I'm super excited where these players are heading and I have to remind myself that Melie is only 24 – she could still be playing in 15 years' time. 'The break has allowed me to reflect on how far I've come, but also the women's game, and women's sport. 'However long I've got left now, I want to make sure I'm enjoying it first and foremost, and I'm also giving what I can to the group – whether that's Wellington, New Zealand or a franchise. It's showing up and being my best self.'
Int'l Cricket Council
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Devine sets sights on consecutive World Cup triumphs for New Zealand
Having last played for the White Ferns in December, in an ODI against Australia, the New Zealand veteran is set to return to the national side for the T20I series against Australia, which begins in Auckland on Friday. Devine, now 35, led New Zealand to victory at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup last year, and admitted that during her time away from the game, the thought of retirement was not far from her mind. "Completely honest? Yep," Devine told reporters. "Certainly. To be able to have to process through a few of those things. Obviously, I'm unfortunately not getting any younger, so they naturally sort of came into mind. 'But for me, yeah, look, just really excited to be here, just going to be focusing on each day as it comes and just really enjoying every day with the White Ferns." The all-rounder acknowledged that the upcoming ODI World Cup, set to be held later this year in India, played a key role in her decision to prolong her career with the White Ferns. New Zealand last won the World Cup in 2000, and now have a rare opportunity to hold both the T20 and ODI world titles simultaneously. 'We've got a pretty big World Cup coming up later this year, which – all going well – hopefully I'll be at," Devine added. "Certainly the World Cup was probably the biggest one. I still felt like I've got a little bit more to give in the black shirt.' Sophie Devine's explosive knock sets up big win | IND v NZ | WT20WC 2024 Devine hasn't played a competitive match since January 24, when she featured for Wellington in the Women's Super Smash. However, she emphasised that her time away had only reinforced her passion for the game, making her realise that the desire to don the White Ferns jersey was stronger than ever. 'So for me, I guess that opportunity was there, but also being okay with the fact that if I was done, I've had a pretty good run of it," she said. "But certainly watching the girls over the last couple of weeks, there's certainly a big itch there that's still to scratch." New Zealand and Australia are set to face off in a three-match T20I series, starting on March 21. ICC Cricket World Cup, 2025 News New Zealand Women
