Latest news with #WhiteFerns
Int'l Cricket Council
a day ago
- Business
- Int'l Cricket Council
Global Nominees of ICC Development Awards 2024 announced
The ICC is pleased to reveal the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards. The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations. For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award. After a year of exceptional innovation and growth, 24 ICC Members have been honoured as Regional Winners – ranging from leading participation in countries such as Bermuda and Sierra Leone to revolutionary social impact programmes in Spain and Qatar, also featuring some exceptional on-field performances in international competition. The Regional Winners will now be put forward as contenders to claim the Global Awards, determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC Full Members, and the media, with the Global Winners set to be revealed on ICC channels once voting concludes. Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah said: 'For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year. 'Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories. 'The inclusion of a brand-new category in the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year is another step in the right direction, proving that real growth is taking place globally. 'I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.' More details on each of the nominated entries will be available via the ICC website. ICC Development Awards 2025 Categories ICC Development Initiative of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding development initiative delivered by an Associate Member, either through a physical participation programme or a digitally delivered game development initiative during the year. ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding female cricket focused initiative delivered by an Associate Member to promote the game, either through a physical participation programme or a digitally delivered game development initiative during the year. ICC Associate Member Men's Team Performance of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding men's on-field performance of the year by an Associate Member team in an ICC event or bilateral cricket. ICC Associate Member Women's Team Performance of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding women's on-field performance of the year by an Associate Member team in an ICC event or bilateral cricket. ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year – acknowledges the outstanding innovative use of digital platforms, campaigns or technology by an Associate Member to drive engagement with fans and the wider community during the year. ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year - acknowledges the outstanding project where cricket is used as a vehicle for social change or development. Whether it be female empowerment, health, education, or community initiatives, the project will have used cricket as a platform to deliver and impact on wider social development issues during the year. ICC criiio Cricket Festival of the Year with Rexona - this award acknowledges an outstanding festival delivered by an ICC Associate Member that was part of the ICC criiio Cricket Festival pilot programme 2024 that has made a significant impact in promoting the women's game. The initiative should have successfully increased participation and helped create a legacy for the development of women's cricket within the country. ICC Development Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Namibia Americas Regional Winner – Brazilian Cricket Association Asia Regional Winner – Malaysian Cricket Association EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Hellenic Cricket Federation (Greece) ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Sierra Leone Americas Regional Winner – Brazilian Cricket Association Asia Regional Winner – Bhutan Cricket Council Board EAP Regional Winner – Vanuatu Cricket Association Europe Regional Winner – Cricket España ICC Associate Member Men's Performance of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Uganda Cricket Association Americas Regional Winner – USA Cricket Asia Regional Winner – Emirates Cricket Board EAP Regional Winner – Japan Cricket Association Europe Regional Winner – Guernsey Cricket ICC Associate Member Women's Performance of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Nigeria Cricket Federation Asia Regional Winner – Emirates Cricket Board EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Cricket Scotland ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Namibia Americas Regional Winner – Bermuda Cricket Board Asia Regional Winner – Cricket Association of Nepal EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year Africa Regional Winner – Cricket Kenya Americas Regional Winner – Cricket Chile Asia Regional Winner – Qatar Cricket Association EAP Regional Winner – Persatuan Cricket Indonesia Europe Regional Winner – Cricket Switzerland ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year (Global Shortlist) Tanzania Cricket Association Cricket Association of Nepal Emirates Cricket Board Persatuan Cricket Indonesia The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation
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."
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.'
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Jensen ends international career
White Ferns and Otago all-rounder Hayley Jensen has retired from international cricket. Sparks fans have a nervous wait while she decides whether to continue at the domestic level. The 32-year-old right-armer will take some more time to reflect on that decision. But her 11-year international career is over. Jensen said it felt like the right time to step away. "Ever since I was 10 years old, I came home from my first cricket tournament and knew I wanted to be a White Fern," she said. "To have had the chance to live that dream is something I'll always treasure. "It's been an incredible journey — filled with challenges, growth, unforgettable experiences, and the best group of people I could've hoped to share it with. "It's never easy to move on from something that's meant this much, but I know in my heart it's time. "I'm proud of what we've achieved together and even prouder to have been part of the White Ferns environment." Jensen made her debut for the White Ferns in both formats against the West Indies in 2014 and worked her way towards becoming an established member of the squad by 2018. Jensen played 35 ODIs and 53 T20s for her country. She arguably had more impact in the shorter format. Jensen claimed 48 wickets at an average of 20.54 and a strike rate of 18.7 in T20s, while in ODIs she claimed 28 wickets at 35.78. Her ability to bowl a heavy delivery and hit the back of a length was a challenge for even the best batters in the world. She is also a handy and powerful lower-order batter, but the White Ferns never really saw the best of her at the batting crease. She was part of the White Ferns squad for the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup held in New Zealand and was part of four ICC Women's T20 World Cups (2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023). She starred with the ball in the 2020 edition, where she claimed the player of the match award with figures of three for 16 in the opening game against Sri Lanka. Jensen was also a key member of the team that claimed bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She took three for 24 in the bronze medal match against England. White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer thanked Jensen for her contributions to the team. "I want to congratulate Hayley on a fantastic international career and thank her for her contributions to the White Ferns environment," he said. "Hayley has made key contributions to the team with both bat and ball on the field and always brought a genuine passion and love for the game."
