The McCaw Lewis Northern Districts Maori men's team start a 3 match programme with a game against a Kaipaki Invitation team at Kaipaki on Sunday. Captained by Waikato Valley stalwart Leighton Parsons, the first team for 2017 is a mix of experienced senior players and young promising Maori cricketers identified at the Northern Districts Senior Secondary Schoolboys tournament in December.

The team is:

Leighton Parsons    Waikato Valley                           Ngati Porou

Keith Vincent           Waikato Valley                           Te Arawa

Bayden Morey         Counties Manukau                    Te Rawara

Timoti Weir              Poverty Bay                                 Tainui

Thomas Hayes         Poverty Bay                                 Ngati Porou

Josh Bates               Poverty Bay                                 Ngati Porou

Ryan Neves              BOP Lakelands Sec Schools      Ngapuhi/Ngati Kahungunu

Mikaere Leef          BOP Coastlands Sec Schools      Ngati Ranginui/Ngati Pukenga/Ngapuhi    

Chris Tupaea            BOP Lakelands Sec Schools    Tainui/Ngati Porou

Ben Pomare             Tauranga Boys/ ND U17          Ngati Mutunga/Ngai Tahu

Lachie Holt                WV Sec Schools                        Ngati Raukawa

The Northern Districts Maori cricket development programme aims to provide opportunities for Maori cricketers to play at representative level and to encourage talented young players to keep playing once they have left school.

The other games on the 2017 calendar see the Maori team play on two of New Zealand's best grounds. They meet the NZ Croatia team at Cobham Oval, Whangarei on March 12 and Waikato University at Seddon Park, Hamilton on April 6. Other young players will be given opportunities in these fixtures.

The Maori team toured to the Cook Islands in 2014 and a return trip is planned for September this year. The Northern Districts Maori Women's team have also toured to the Cook Islands, in 2015 and 2016.