New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is helping to develop female coaching talent through initiatives that build confidence, provide practical skills, and foster inclusive environments.
One example is the Women’s Development Course piloted by the Otago Cricket Association, which focuses on recruiting and retaining female coaches at all levels of the game.
Led locally, the course creates a safe and welcoming space for women to share ideas, learn practical coaching techniques and grow together.
Sophie Gray, Women and Girls Lead at Otago Cricket and course facilitator, says the initiative aligns with their goal to educate and empower more female coaches.
“The course brings together like-minded individuals who want to develop their coaching in a safe space. A highlight has been watching their confidence grow and seeing younger female players learn from these coaches, helping them hone their skills,” says Sophie.
Jess Davidson, Head of Female Engagement at NZC, reinforces the importance of supportive environments and the value of applying new knowledge in local contexts.
“It’s a great opportunity for coaches to take what they’ve learned and apply it in their communities. This helps create quality experiences for participants and strengthens the coaching ecosystem,” says Jess.
This initiative complements NZC’s broader commitment to female leadership, including its Pathway to Performance coaching programme, part of the Female Leadership Development Framework.
Together, these efforts reflect a growing movement to support women in sport—not just as players, but as leaders and role models.
Watch the video about the Otago Cricket Development Course for female coaches.
