The Otago Country Cricket Association (OCCA) is looking for a Summer Cricket Activator focused on Female Cricket to assist in the delivery of cricket to school aged children. The Yeah Girls program and other local cricket initiatives introduce cricket to primary aged females in a fun and engaging way. It gives the students involved a place to experience cricket, develop their motor skills and grow their confidence. The programs have been a part of the OCCA development program for several years now and continues to grow each season.

This is a part-time position (15 hours per week) during summer, and we are seeking an enthusiastic, positive, and vibrant sports deliverer. The successful applicant will operate and deliver this popular OCCA cricket program, working with hundreds of young participants over the summer encouraging growth in participation for women’s cricket into the Otago Country region.

START/END DATE
Start date Monday October 11 - end date Friday March 21, with a 4 week break over Christmas (20 weeks in total). 

KEY ROLES
This role is suited to a passionate, confident person who has the energy and dynamism to engage enthusiastically with young people. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the drive and imagination to build, develop and adapt the program, to suit the preferences of participants.

The Successful Applicant will have the following attributes:
• Passion for Sport and Education - a motivated, well-organised individual who has the ability to teach and inspire children of all ages.
• An Enthusiastic Motivator – The ability to motivate children through genuine enthusiasm and encouragement.
• Desire to Succeed – A strong desire to succeed and deliver great experiences to our young people and grow the game of cricket.
• Well Organised – Effective planning, regular reporting and feedback are a key part of this role.

KEY SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Demonstrated leadership and high level communication skills with proven ability to build effective cooperative working relationships internally and with diverse stakeholders
• Formal coaching qualifications is desirable, but not required. All training to be provided
• ​Sporting background (not necessarily cricket) 
• A proven ability to engage and positively interact with school children
• A love for sport and education is a must
• A valid driver’s licence and access to personal transport is essential

A NZC coaching certificate is regarded favourably as is any experience coaching sport to children. NOTE: As part of this job, the applicant is required to complete a Police vetting process.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

REMNUMERATION
Based on 20 weeks at 15 hours per week, the remuneration package will be approximately $10,000 and will be paid in fortnightly instalments during the season.

APPLY
Interested? Send brief CV and cover letter to adrian@otagocountrycricket.co.nz

Applications Close: 27 September 2021

Dunedin Metro took home the Stewart McKnight trophy on Sunday after beating Otago Country by 64 runs. Batting first Dunedin were bowled out for 190 in the 44th over (Biggs 38, Viljoen 33; Sandhu 3 for 33). In reply Country were all out for 126 with only Mitch van Schaik 51 not out and Angus Herron (24) getting into double figures. Jeremy Smith was the main destroyer taking 5 for 22 off 7 overs. Full scorecard below:

A reminder to all that we are holding a 65-year reunion on 15-17 January 2021. This will also celebrate 25 years since we successfully won the Fuji Xerox Cup against Taranaki and the 10th anniversary of winning the Hawke Cup off North Otago. Promises to be a great weekend of celebrations and sharing memories of our association. Registrations will be open soon so keep the date free.

Adrian and I, along with three other members of the Country board, Liz Perkins, Mark Shepherd and Shayne O’Connor attended an Otago Cricket Governance Forum in late February in Dunedin. We joined members from the Otago Cricket, Southland and North Otago boards to discuss how we all went about our business and exchanged ideas on how best to progress going forward. There was plenty of discussion and it was a good chance to meet people in the same roles from different districts. The general feeling was that these should happen more often.

Adrian, Sam and Ashlee have been busy with all sorts of cricket happening throughout the region. Four senior college teams played their T20 Super Smash playoffs on Monday at Molyneux Park. Verdon College from Southland ran out the winners with the other teams competing being Taieri College, Waitaki Boys and locals Dunstan High School. There have been school visits, festival days, holiday programs and the increasingly popular Girls Smash in Alexandra, Queenstown and Wanaka as well as the Boys Blast at those three venues. After school Superstar academies have been ongoing as have our age-group representative programs so there has been plenty of our chosen sport to keep everyone busy and interested. Not to mention the BLACKCAPS test series win over India and the Volts completing a great win over old foes Canterbury earlier in the week.

Last chance this week to get out and support your local club sides as they play their finals this weekend in the Vincent competition while the semi-finals of the 40 over part of the season down south in the South Otago competition go ahead. Good luck to all involved.  
I might be slightly biased but check out this link to the best Facebook page going around to keep up with all the happenings on cricket in Otago Country.

Cheers, Jonesy