In a landmark Annual General Meeting held at Seddon Park on 4 December 2016, the members of Northern Districts Cricket Association endorsed two women to join its Board.

It is the first time that the ND Board has included more than one female and further enhances its growing reputation as one of the leading cricket organisations in the promotion of women. 

The Selection Panel comprising members and independents voted unanimously to endorse the two candidates from a strong field, which was ratified by the full membership last Sunday. 

Michelle Hollands, from Hamilton, is a former New Zealand hockey representative with 99 caps to her name, and joins the Board after serving as a Director for eight years in the not-for-profit sector.  This included stints as the first Independent Chair of Badminton New Zealand, and the first independent Vice President of the Oceania Badminton Confederation (a member of the Badminton World Federation). 

Michelle is currently employed as the General Manager of Regional Leadership at Sport Waikato. 

Kylie Hawker-Green, from Taupo, adds this directorship to current roles as a Trustee on the Bay of Plenty Community Trust and the Taupo Primary School.  She is also the founding Trustee of the One Taupo Trust which was established in 2013. 

Kylie presently is the owner of PR Plus in Taupo where she assists clients with their marketing, communications, public relations and events. 

Northern Districts Chairman Martin Bradley is delighted with the new additions to the Board.  "Michelle and Kylie will bring significant skills and experiences to our Board."

"Michelle was a highly-accomplished player at the top level in another sport, has held senior governance positions in yet another sport, and now works in a senior leadership position at a Regional Sport Trust.  Her knowledge of sport and how it should be run would be superior to most in the country."

"Kylie brings with her some serious governance pedigree and a huge desire to transfer this to our sport.  She has had great success in her work and Trustee roles and we look forward to her contribution to our growth in the coming years."

Bradley concluded that "it is also terrific timing for us that both of the preferred additions to our Board are female.  They were the best candidates and that is the important point.  But to come along and add further diversity to our Board at a time when ND Cricket is investing so heavily in supporting the women's side of the game is opportune and further reinforces our stance that cricket is a sport for all, and our door is open to males and females of all backgrounds."

Other ND Cricket initiatives to promote women in cricket include the recent employment of a full-time Women's Cricket Officer, the offering of small contracts to domestic cricket players, the full integration of women in the ND high performance program, and the introduction of the flagship women's competition the Skycity Hamilton Northern Premier League (NPL). 

Michelle and Kylie replace Ken Rutherford who stepped down mid-year from his post to take up the Chairman of Selectors role at ND Cricket, and Mark Dewdney, who decided to step aside due to work commitments.   

Also at the meeting, long-serving President Michael Sandlant stepped down from his role as President, being replaced by Jeff Freeman.