History
Wairarapa Cricket Association has a proud History, and a drive to be one of the most inclusive and diverse sporting organisations in New Zealand, with a particular focus on being a national leader female cricket participation.
Formed in 1894-95, Wairarapa Cricket has celebrated it share of on-field provincial success at all levels, including the primary symbol of Minor Association cricket in New Zealand, the Hawke Cup. This Trophy first came to the Wairarapa district in 1920 for a year, before returning again in 1950. Between 1976 and 1979 Wairarapa withstood seven challenges in a famous defensive campaign. As recently as the 2011/12 season, Wairarapa were the Furlong Cup (Central Districts) champions and traveled to play Hamilton in an unsuccessful challenge.
Players of Note
The Association can also boast about the development of a number of past and current Black Caps, White Ferns, First Class cricketers, and Major Association age-group representatives who have all plied and learned their trade within the region.
Black Cap legend Ross Taylor was raised in Masterton and played his junior cricket for Lansdowne, attended Wairarapa College where he played 1st XI cricket as well as represented Wairarapa at the Junior rep level. Recent Black Cap (and recently retired long-serving Central Districts Stag) Seth Rance is a product of the Greytown Cricket Club, where he still plays when his commitments allow, and also attended Wairarapa College playing 1st XI cricket for the school.
Other recent players of note include Jesse Ryder who was born and raised in the district and was a member of Red Star Cricket Club as a junior.
White Fern, and current High performance Female lead for New Zealand Cricket, Elizabeth Perry, played for Lansdowne Cricket Club as a junior, attended Chanel College and played senior womens club and representative cricket for Wairarapa.
Black Cap Michael Mason was born and raised in the Wairarapa playing junior cricket for both Greytown club and Wairarapa JCB rep teams whilst Doug Bracewell (nephew of Wairarapa and Central Districts stalwart of the same name) had 4 years of schooling at Rathkeale College.
The Bracewell name is also represented in historic New Zealand representative performers from the district – notably Brendon played for the Wairarapa in the 1970’s. NZ representative left-armer Richard Collinge attended Wairarapa College and played for the province, whilst Keith Thompson, Mike Shrimpton and even Roger Twose represented Wairarapa and New Zealand at various stages.
As at the 2024/25 season Wairarapa are also able to boast a number of female First Class representatives. Melissa Hansen (ex-Wairarapa College & Lansdowne), Ocean Bartlett (St Matthews), Georgia Atkinson (ex-Wairarapa College) and Emma McLeod (ex St Matthews) are amongst the ranks of the Central Districts Hinds, whilst Gemma Sims (ex-St Matthews) was selected by the Wellington Blaze for the season. McLeod was a New Zealand U/19 representative at the inaugural World Cup in South Africa and is still eligible for this age-group this coming season.
The Local Scene
Senior Mens
Participating in local Men’s competitions are Greytown (which is the second oldest cricket club in New Zealand, est. 1867 and celebrated its 150th in February 2017), Masterton Marist, Red Star and Lansdowne, along with Carterton, Featherston and teams from three colleges.
Secondary Schools & Junior Club
At secondary schools level there are various competitions catering for school 1st and 2nd XIs, as well as midweek competitions for both genders.
Junior Club cricket remains a strength with close to 40 teams participating from around the District.
Pathway & Development Opportunitis
There are significant opportunities for both Male and Female players to partake in wider opportunitie – Senior Men and Women compete in their various Central Districts competitions, and Year 7 and above players receiving games and tournament attendance opportunities across the season.
Overall
For the past five years, playing numbers in registered local competitions across all grades and ages have fluctuated between 900 and 1,100 participants. On top of this, community delivery programmes & projects, both cricket and physical activity related, provide quality opportunities to a range of the Wairarapa population.