NZ Cricket Set Equal Pay Standards for Female Athletes

NZ Cricket announces a landmark agreement to establish equal pay grades between female and male athletes.

The five-year deal between New Zealand Cricket (NZC), New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) and the six major associations will see female crickets earning contracts of up to NZ $163,246, compared to an $83,432 per year.

As part of the agreement, pay ranges across NZ Crickets formats are equally set with international tests offering payments of NZ $10,250, ODI’s $4000 and T20Is $2500.

Top-ranked domestic players in each major association will be able to receive a maximum of NZ$19,146 compared to a historic $3,423.

NZ cricket captain, Sophie Devine said the move is a “massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls.”

“It is great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men,” Devine said.

NZC chief executive, David White, said: “This is the most important agreement in our sport, as it binds NZC, the major associations, and our players at the hip, and sets the foundation to fund, grow and develop cricket.”

“It has been a collaborative yet very robust negotiation. Importantly, it represents a significant step forward as we continue to grow our investment in women’s cricket,” White said.

NZCPA, chief executive, Heath Mills said: “We are thrilled to now have one agreement that includes our entire playing group.”

“The new agreement ensures the players are well rewarded for what they bring to the game and, importantly, are supported through increased investment in personal development and well-being programmes.”

“To complete such an important negotiation in the manner we have speaks volumes of the spirit of the partnership, “Mills said.

Introduced from August 1, the changes are set alongside an increase of NZCPA’s support services.