Expanding our Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme: Supporting Wellington’s Youth
At the Wellington Wanderers Cricket Club, we’re passionate about fostering the next generation of cricketing talent. The Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme is our key initiative to achieve this, and this season, we’re proud to be supporting young players from a wide range of schools across the Wellington region. From secondary schools like Wellington High, Upper Hutt College, and Tawa College, to intermediate schools like Raroa Intermediate and Tawa Intermediate, our programme is dedicated to reaching cricketers from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
2024-25 Senior Programme Players with guest coaches, guest coaches Ben Stephen and Ryan Tsourgas (back row, far left)
Nurturing Talent and Bridging Gaps
One of the core missions of the Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme is to support cricketers from under-resourced schools who may not have access to the high-quality coaching and opportunities that other players enjoy. Through our programme, young cricketers receive 12-15 hours of group coaching across six sessions throughout the season, working closely with some of Wellington’s best coaches. This not only helps them develop their skills on the field but also builds their confidence and passion for the game.
A special focus of our programme is the Junior Programme, which aims to guide boys and girls from Year 8 and 9 as they transition from junior club cricket to college cricket. We understand that this is a stage where participation can drop off, and we are committed to providing these young cricketers with the mentorship and support they need to stay involved and excited about the game. Our goal is to ensure that players feel equipped and motivated as they step into college-level cricket, helping to close the gap that often occurs at this critical phase.
2024-25 Junior Programme players, with Programme Manager, Connor Lusty (Far right) and Ankur Bassi, Programme Coach (far left).
Leadership and Coaching Team
The success of the Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme is made possible by the dedication of our exceptional coaching team. We are thrilled to have Connor Lusty as our Programme Manager. Connor brings a passion for youth cricket development, ensuring that every player receives support and guidance.
Joining Connor is Ankur Bassi from the AB Cricket Academy, one of our regular coaches. Ankur’s expertise in coaching young players has been instrumental in helping them refine their skills and grow in confidence. His commitment to player development aligns perfectly with our programme’s goals.
In addition, we are proud to partner with Cricket Wellington, which allows us to involve coaches from their NZC Advanced Coaching Development Course. These emerging coaches are some of Wellington’s best and most promising talents, and as part of their development, they serve as guest coaches at various sessions. This partnership gives our players access to top-tier coaching while helping the next generation of cricket coaches grow in their craft. It’s a win-win that enriches the coaching environment for everyone involved.
Diverse Representation Across Schools
This season, we’re thrilled to see representation from such a diverse range of schools, further emphasising our commitment to inclusivity and opportunity for all young cricketers in the region. Here’s a snapshot of the schools represented in the programme:
Secondary Schools:
• Upper Hutt College
• Wellington High School
• Tawa College
• Hutt Valley High School
• Kapiti College
• St Bernard’s College
• Onslow College
• Newlands College
• Wellington East Girls’ College
• St Catherine’s College
• Sacred Heart College
• Paraparaumu College
• Aotea College
• Wellington College
• Taita College
• Heretaunga College
Intermediate Schools:
• Raroa Intermediate
• Newlands Intermediate
• Tawa Intermediate
• South Wellington Intermediate School (SWIS)
• Papakowhai School
This variety of schools reflects the broad reach of the programme, which is designed to engage young cricketers from both well-established and under-resourced educational environments.
A Special Thank You to New Zealand International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians (NZIFCR)
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our members, coaches, and partners who have generously supported the Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme. A special acknowledgment goes to Gary and Keith, and John Dean and Rachael Barton from the New Zealand International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians (NZIFCR) for their incredibly generous donation for this season. This contribution has played a huge part in enabling us to expand the programme and provide professional coaching and resources to 48 young cricketers across Wellington, many of whom come from under-resourced schools. Their support is directly helping these young people develop as cricketers.
Get Involved and Support the Future of Cricket
At the heart of the Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme is a community of dedicated coaches, volunteers, and supporters who are passionate about giving back to the game. By becoming a member of the Wellington Wanderers Cricket Club, you’re playing a vital role in making this programme possible. Every membership directly supports the development of young cricketers, especially those who might not otherwise have access to high-level coaching and mentorship. Your involvement helps shape the future of cricket in Wellington, ensuring that the next generation has the support they need to thrive.
Dutchy du Chateau Members: Our Pillars of Support
A special thanks goes to our Dutchy du Chateau Members, our top-tier member, whose generosity plays a crucial role in the success and growth of the Wanderers Young Cricketers Programme. A significant portion of their membership contributions goes directly towards funding this programme, making it the biggest and most impactful way to support youth cricket within our club. Our goal is to make the programme self-sustaining in the next two to three years, allowing us to reduce reliance on increasingly difficult-to-secure grant funding. Your support is helping us build a brighter, more sustainable future for cricket in Wellington!
Let’s continue building a brighter future for cricket in Wellington—together.
