Fourteen Canterbury players have been selected in the New Zealand Cricket Elite Player Development Programme. The players are part of a group of 63 chosen from around New Zealand.  The programme has been instigated by NZC Elite Coaching Manager John Wright and managed by NZC Elite Player Development Manager Cate Sexton.

These players have been identified by New Zealand Cricket’s age group selectors through their performances at the 2008/09 National Under 17 and Under 19 tournaments as having potential to develop into first class players in the future.

Newly appointed Canterbury Cricket Network Coach, Paul Wiseman, will be responsible for driving the programme in Canterbury which will run for twelve months. The programme encompasses intensive one on one coaching with specialist coaches from New Zealand and Canterbury Cricket, strength and conditioning assistance and medical screening.

“This is a really exciting initiative from New Zealand Cricket. These elite young players will be given every opportunity to maximise their potential under the watchful eyes of the band of Network Coaches around the country and with expert assistance from the national specialist coaches” commented Richard Hayward, Canterbury Cricket’s Director of Coaching and Development.

The fourteen players are:

Corey Anderson
Matt Farrant
Matt Henry
Tim Johnston
Matt Laffey
Tom Latham
Cole McConchie
Matt McEwan
Henry Nicholls
Logan van Beek
Theo van Woerkom
Bill Walsh
Tom Walsh
Ananthan Yugaraja