AWARDS NIGHT CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE AT NORTHERN DISTRICTS CRICKET

29 Mar 2024

The Northern Districts (ND) Annual Awards evening was held at SkyCity in Kirikiriroa Hamilton last night, celebrating success and service in cricket across the region.

The annual awards are a chance to celebrate excellence at both the community, talent pathway and high-performance levels. Over 250 players, staff, board members, community award winners, Districts Association representatives and sponsors made this years’ celebration on to remember.

The 2023/24 season saw our women’s team reach the Super Smash T20 elimination final for the first time, and the men’s side come agonisingly close to lifting the Plunket Shield.

Kayleigh Knight and Marama Downes were ND record breakers this season.

Seem bowler Knight took record figures with 7 wickets for just 35 runs against the Central Hinds at Pukekura Park. Downes took ND’s first ever T20 5-wicket bag at Eden Park during a huge Super Smash win against the Auckland Hearts, helping secure our home elimination final. Both players were presented with their match ball at the awards ceremony.

After launching a new Life Membership programme in the 2022/23 season, last night four ND players were added to the ranks. Caitlin Gurrey, Jeet Raval, and Bernadine Bezuidenhout were made Life Members.

Tim Seifert – already a Life Member – was inducted into the “Immortal” category, which celebrates his impressive international career.

Seifert brought up his 50th T20I for New Zealand against England at Trent Bridge last winter. Seifert has recently past the 1,000 runs milestone for the BLACKCAPS with a top score of 88.

Seifert debuted for ND during the 2014/15 season, and this year marks his tenth successive domestic season with the Association. Across all formats, Seifert has played 198 games, with 6,000 runs, nine hundreds and 344 dismissals with his wicket-keeping.

The ultimate player awards are the Nicola Browne and Daniel Vettori Medals, presented to the female and male player of the year.

Marama Downes took out the Nicola Browne Medal thanks to her outstanding bowling this season, spearheading the attack and consistently taking early wickets. She took 12 wickets in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and 16 wickets in the Super Smash at an average of 12, including the record 5-wicket bag at Eden Park.

Brett Hampton was awarded the Daniel Vettori Medal after an outstanding season in Ford Trophy and the Plunket Shield, making his maiden hundreds for in both formats. He averaged 86 with the bat in the Ford Trophy and 42 in the Plunket Shield and took 35 wickets across the formats for an outstanding all-round season.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!