Three players from Northern Districts Cricket Association have been selected in the inaugural New Zealand Māori Schools side to play a Governor General's XI in Wellington next month.

The Māori team, selected by long-term Northern Districts' administrator Pat Malcon and NZC Talent Identification Manager Paul Wiseman, also includes five players from Central Districts, and one each from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.

It will be coached by Mark Borthwick, formerly of the Wellington Blaze.

NZC Network and Participation Advisor Andrew Tara said the introduction of the NZ Māori Schools side was part of his organisation's push to better connect with Māori.

"NZC's over-riding strategy is for cricket to be a game for all New Zealanders, irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation," he said.

"This is one of the ways we hope to extend the game's reach and make it more accessible to under-represented communities."

NZC has already made advances in this area, having last year implemented a range of modified playing programmes designed to make the game more welcoming, relevant and dynamic for junior and youth cricketers.

The BLACKCAPS and the WHITE FERNS wore Aotearoa shirts throughout their T20 series against India as a sign of respect for, and to commemorate, Waitangi Day.

Mr Tara said the Māori Schools team, supported by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and School Sport NZ, attracted 46 nominations and a high calibre of potential candidates - three of those selected are members of the New Zealand Under 19 squad.

Tim Florence, Ollie White and Kuwyn Price are the three ND reps in the side.

Tim Florence is a dashing left-handed top-order bat who keeps as well. Tim goes to Auckland Grammar and plays his representative cricket for Counties Manukau, He performed well at the recent ND Senior Secondary School Tournament in Gisborne and is pushing for higher honours within the Counties Manukau set up. Tribal affiliation - Ngāti Whātua

17 year-old Ollie White is a highly-regarded top-order batsman and left-arm spinner. He represents Northland and has been through the ND Pathway Programme representing the Association at Under 17 and Under 19 levels and has recently been picked in the New Zealand Under 18 team to tour Bangladesh in April, 2019. Tribal affiliation - Ngāti Apa

Kuwyn Price is a genuine all-rounder who attends St Pauls Collegiate, represents Hamilton and played in the ND Under 17 team at the recent National Under 17 Tournament held in Lincoln (January 2019). Kuwyn is a hard hitting middle-order bat and a right-arm pace bowler - Tribal affiliation -  Ngāti Porou me Ngāti Hauā
The team, which will play a Governor General's XI including former international Hamish Marshall on March 7 at Karori, will stay at the Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay