Finishing University this Summer? Fancy some cricket in New Zealand during the winter?

16 March 2010

Former Cardiff MCCU batsman Chris Smith has been playing and coaching cricket in New Zealand this winter.

Chris is on the look out for another cricketer to head to the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' to take over his role in 2010/2011.

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I have recently spent six months working and playing cricket in Oamaru, New Zealand. Unfortunately I cannot come out next summer and so North Otago cricket is looking for a new coach to come out and take over the role.

A brief outline of what the North Otago Cricket ‘package’ involves:

A guaranteed 25 hours coaching per week @ $18 per hour

This covers the entire season, even though very little happens between Christmas and the end of January. Previous coaches have run a week-long holiday programme in mid-January and made approx. $800 each. The ‘normal’ coaching involves primary school visits during the school day (MILO Cricket-in-Schools programme), coaching secondary school teams or age group representative squads after school and an occasional club visit (clubs train on Tuesday/Thursday). Peter Cameron, the Chairman of North Otago Cricket sorts out the money side of things and from experience makes sure everyone gets a fair deal. With this arrangement, there is plenty of flexibility, and the weeks where you work more than 25 hours for North Otago Cricket (usually in October/November), are more than compensated for when schools are on holiday – from mid December through until the beginning of February. With very little outgoings the deal is very fair and should provide sufficient disposable income!

In addition to this, in return for accommodation and meals provided by St. Kevin’s College, 15 additional hours playing for the school on a Saturday and coaching school squads or 1 on 1 sessions

 

Approximately half of these hours are taken up with playing for the school in our 6 team senior competition. The school teams train on three evenings per week, and previous coaches have run some 1 on 1 sessions at lunchtimes as well as finding ‘slots’ after the normal coaching sessions ended at 5pm. You still have the two bedroom cottage when school is closed, but the dining facilities at the school are available only during term time. Saying that, the cottage is well furnished and the cooking facilities are excellent.

 

Playing commitments

 

In addition to playing for the school team on a Saturday, North Otago plays in the Hawke Cup. This is similar to Minor Counties. The structure of the Hawke Cup is currently under review, but last season it involved four two day matches at zonal elimination level, then a three day inter-zonal challenge match and then finally a national challenge (4 day fixture against the current holder of the Hawke Cup). This season North Otago made it through to the challenge match against the current holders! There is also an inter-district tournament at the start of the season (7 games) which includes all the Otago contracted first-class players. This did not happen as such this season due to the Otago Volts playing in the T/20 Champions League in India in October, though it should be running again next year.

 

Other areas

 

In addition to the accommodation and meals provided through the school, kit sponsorship has been arranged in the past so there is not the need to bring out kit. New Zealand Cricket also provides clothing for school visits (tracksuit, polo shirts, shorts, polar fleece!!).

 

You will also have a motor vehicle provided, and petrol is covered unless you take the vehicle away during the summer break, when you would be expected to put your own petrol in. A mobile phone is provided, plus you would have access to the cricket office (computer/fax/photocopier/email etc.).

 

You will note that we do not provide an airfare. Peter is a pretty shrewd man when it comes to financial matters and I think he waits to ensure he is getting ‘bang for his buck’ before advancing cash!! I know of a number of instances involving the other coaches, where bonus schemes/incentives have been ‘formulated’ once they have proved themselves, which are of greater financial value than an airfare. However, if your decision as to whether you would come to North Otago hinged on the provision of an airfare, I’m sure Peter would consider adjusting the financial arrangements to assist.

 

I hope this information gives you some better idea about the position. If you want to discuss this more, I can be contacted via Facebook, I am a member of the MCC Universities Fan Page..

Chris Smith