Some New Zealand provinces have announced their first round of contracted players. Here’s a look at all the latest news ahead of the upcoming season.
They are coming off a good 2023-24 season, with Hinds making the Super Smash final in the summer and finishing in the midfield in a weather-affected one-day season.
“As a team and as a club, we are of course first and foremost happy for Natalie and her husband during this special time in their lives,” said Dave Meiring, Central Districts’ High Performance Manager. “We fully support Natalie’s decision to focus on family this summer. This is an opportunity for others to put everything they have learned from her into practice on the field.”
“She will not retire, but at the moment several players will take on their usual roles.”
Anna is the only new name on the initial list of 12 players under contract for the 2024-25 season, with a name set to be added later this month to fill the 13th and final spot in the group.
The captain has not yet been announced, but of the players named, New Zealand international Hannah Rowe is the current team leader.
Contract player: Aniela Apperley, Georgia Atkinson, Ocean Bartlett, Flora Devonshire, Anna Gaging, Kate Gaging, Claudia Green, Mikaela Greig, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Thamsyn Newton, Kerry Tomlinson NZC contracts: Rosemary Mair, Hannah Rowe
“We are committed to developing our young talent and ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to succeed at this level,” said head coach Rhys Morgan. “The experience of our senior players will be invaluable in helping our younger players grow and contribute to the team’s success.”
Contract player: Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Natalie Cox, Jodie Dean, Harriet Graham, Abigail Hotton, Laura Hughes, Frankie Mackay, Izzy Sharp, Jess Simmons, Gabby Sullivan