8 Mar 2024Northern Districts Cricket is celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 with some insights into a few of the women behind the scenes.
Talented women are a huge part of the ND team, from casual staff right through to General Managers. We caught up with four of them to find out what International Women’s Day means to them.
See photos on our Instagram story, here.
Rebecca Balwin
Finance Manager
Favourite ND player: Marama Downes
What are you proudest of? Being a working māmā and a role model to my kids.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? Acknowledging those wāhine that pave the way for those to follow by smashing ceilings and breaking down barriers.
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? Closing the gender pay gap and making work/life balance a priority.
Carol Agafili
Development Officer - Counties Manukau
Favourite Northern Districts player? Sam Barriball
What are you proudest of? I'm proud of working with hard working women who have also been a great role models to myself and everyone around but especially my mum who isn't physically with me at this time but reminds me she's always just a call away.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? The growth and exposure women need for their effortless hard work in their daily lives.
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? Support towards the voices of women from the PI and Māori Community.
Ashley Livingstone
Event Manager
Favourite ND player: Jess Watkin
What are you proudest of? My career and the amazing opportunities I’ve had to be able to make the most of – so great being able to leave my stamp on so many sporting organisations and events so far. Becoming a Mum and being able to continue to work and do what I love.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? Celebrating all the amazing Women out there who are continuing to strive and grow to get to where they want to be (professionally and personally).
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? I think steps forward are being made each and every year, but ensuring share of voice across the sporting landscape is something that can continue to progress.
Erin Berry
Development Manager – Bays
Favourite ND player: Marama Downes
What are you proudest of? Making the most of some really humbling opportunities and embracing change.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? Looking after and celebrating the wāhine in my life; I am a friend, aunty, daughter, niece, and colleague to some incredible women who I am extremely grateful for.
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? That attitudes would continue to change and be challenged, making way for women to reach their potential, feel confident in themselves and be proud of their place in this world.
Charlotte Twigg
General Manager – Commercial and Experience
Favourite ND player: Sam Barriball - I’m always inspired by people who have shown a commitment to their craft for such a long time (juggling that with fulltime work, too).
What are you proudest of? That my son Tommy gets to be raised by two proud mums.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? It is important for me to continue to work for an organisation that is passionate about creating change and standing up for what is right.
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? Genuine and unapologetic commitment from major sporting bodies to treat all genders equally.
Anita Burton
Marketing and Communications Manager
Favourite ND player: Kayley Knight
What are you proudest of? My commitment to choosing the right thing, rather than the easy thing.
What is important to you this International Women’s Day? Shining light on women and girls. Their successes, struggles and most of all, their potential.
What steps forward would you like to see this year for gender equality? More women at decision-making tables across the country, especially in male dominated industries.
