Waikato Valley Cricket Association

🏏Meet the Umpire: Luke Hibbert

When most players hang up the boots, they step away from the game. For Luke, “umpiring was a way to stay involved and give back to the sport I love". Inspired by his mum, Luke saw umpiring as a valuable skill to learn and a chance to continue contributing to cricket beyond playing.

One of the things Luke enjoys most about umpiring is having the best seat in the house. Standing in the middle gives him a unique view of the action, particularly when watching high-quality cricket unfold. He also values the opportunity to support and give back to the game that has given him so much.

A memory that still stands out is his very first ball as an umpire. "While exciting, it also came with a few nerves, especially when the bowler running in was a New Zealand Under-19 representative."

Luke says one thing many people don't realise about umpiring is that there's "sometimes a difference between the "correct" decision after a replay and a good decision made in real time" using the information available at the moment. It's a reminder of the skill, concentration and judgement required every ball.

This season, Luke is "looking forward to continuing to develop his umpiring skills while standing in high-quality cricket" across the Waikato Valley.

And when it comes to tea breaks, Luke's keeping it simple: sausage roll over sandwich every time.

We're grateful to have passionate young officials like Luke involved in cricket and helping ensure the game can thrive for everyone.

📣 WVCA AGM Reminder

Don't forget to join us this Sunday for the Waikato Valley Cricket Association Annual General Meeting:

📅 Sunday, 30 August
🕑 2:00pm
📍 Cambridge Cricket Pavilion, Victoria Square

See you there!

🏏 Cricket Fun at Amisfield School!

What a fantastic day delivering cricket skills sessions at Amisfield School!

It was great to see students fully engaged, developing their cricket skills through fun and interactive games. A special shout-out to our Cricket Activator, Emma, whose friendly, encouraging approach made a real impression on both students and staff. 😊

The feedback from the school was incredibly positive, with many students already asking when Emma will be back for another visit! Hearing that excitement and enthusiasm is exactly why we love bringing cricket into schools.

A huge thank you to the staff and students at Amisfield School for welcoming us. We look forward to continuing to grow the game and creating more positive cricket experiences for young people across our region.

What a fantastic day of cricket! 🏏

Thanks for having us! We loved spending time with the students, sharing the fundamentals of the game and hopefully inspiring some future cricketers.

🏏 Patron Spotlight | Pat Malcon 🏏

For many in our region, Pat Malcon is a familiar face and a respected voice in cricket.

As Patron of Waikato Valley Cricket, Pat sees his role as more than a title. It is recognition of decades of service to the game as a player, coach, administrator, and champion of community cricket. He also played a key role in establishing Waikato Valley as a District Association and continues to support the game by sharing his experience and advice whenever needed.

When reflecting on Waikato Valley Cricket, Pat is most impressed by the resilience of our cricket community.
"Keeping cricket alive in many parts of Waikato Valley has been a real challenge as populations age, employment opportunities fluctuate, and rural schools lose good players to bigger city schools," he says. "I am always mindful of the debt we owe to our volunteers."

For young cricketers starting out, Pat encourages them to keep sport fun and varied.
"Enjoy playing a range of sports when you're young," he says. "And hit balls, throw balls and catch balls as often as you can. The best players I know did a lot of this with friends. You don't need a coach or nets to practise."

Looking ahead, Pat is excited by the opportunities for growth across the region.
"Seeing Waikato Valley players excel at the top level gives us great role models for our youngsters," he says. "And the increasing profile of women's cricket gives more opportunities to grow the game."

And here's a fun fact many people may not know about our Patron. Outside of cricket, Pat played senior club rugby throughout Auckland, Wellington, Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty.
"I played first five-eighth inside three different All Black second five-eighths," Pat laughs. "I obviously made them look really good!" 😄

👏 Thank you, Pat Malcon, for your lifelong contribution to cricket and for continuing to support the Waikato Valley Cricket community with your knowledge, passion and experience.

📷 Supplied. 2018 Pat was awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Trophy for outstanding services to NZ cricket

Here’s an opportunity to sharpen your coaching skills ahead of the season! 🏏

Check out NZC’s virtual learning opportunities and keep growing as a coach 👇🏼

Ready to sharpen your coaching skills before the season? 🧠

Join one of NZC’s virtual learning opportunities - flexible, accessible, and designed to help you keep growing as a coach.

LEARN MORE 👉 https://on.nzc.nz/45ZNN5l

🏏 Meet the Coach: Emma Wynen Takes the Helm of Our Emerging Rangatahi Girls

We're excited to introduce Emma Wynen, who will be coaching our Emerging Rangatahi Girls programme this season. Here's a chance to get to know Emma a little better.

🏏 What are you most looking forward to about coaching the Emerging Rangatahi Girls this season?

"I'm excited to see some of the younger girls from the youth team that I coached last year play at an older level. I'm also excited to hopefully help the girls develop and enjoy the game as much as they can so that they stick around and keep playing in the years to come."

💛 What motivates you most as a coach?

"Being able to give back to these girls what so many people did for me by creating a fun, competitive environment where they can learn and grow."

🤝🏼 What are some of the key qualities you want to see from the squad on and off the field?

"A strong team culture where the girls have good bonds between them that make working together and connecting with each other easy. I'd like them to be a team where they all genuinely enjoy playing and spending time on and off the field together."

🎯 What would a successful season look like?

"Being able to enjoy some wins from the games and learn from the challenges we face, while exposing ourselves to different situations outside of our comfort zone."

🎓 What's one thing your players might be surprised to learn about you?

"Outside of cricket I am currently completing a double degree in both Law and Science, and I'm in my fifth and final year of university."

We're thrilled to have Emma leading the programme and helping develop the next generation of female cricketers both on and off the field. Please join us in welcoming her to the season and wishing the team all the best for the summer ahead. 🙌🏼

🏏 A great opportunity for Māori cricketers to showcase their talent on the national stage. Applications are now open for the 2026 Māori Tāne & Wāhine National Tournament!

📍 Tāmaki Makaurau | 18–21 October
⏰ Applications close 21 August

See below for more details and application form ⬇️

Player applications are open!

The Māori Tāne and Wāhine National Tournament provides a unique opportunity for our talented Māori cricketers to express their talent on a national stage and connect with other talented players from across Aotearoa. See the 2025 highlights here: https://youtu.be/Hu_iRHgpGdY?si=_Pv9pr-CtWtjJCSZ

The Northern Māori programme is seeking player applications for the 2026 tournament, which will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau at Lloyd Elsmore Park (Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club) 18-21 October.

Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/qsW1aESZ14

Applications close 21 August 2026.

🏏 Great opportunity for coaches!

If you’re coaching at DA senior, premier club or school 1st XI level, this is a great chance to develop your coaching and add to your toolkit.

Places are limited, so get your application in before 27 August.

For more info ⬇️

Apply now!

This course is aimed at coaches around the level of DA senior teams, premier club teams, school 1st XIs or MA age group teams.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and please note that places are limited. Registrations close 27 August. Course cost is $55.

Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/gT8H3409hy

Need help or have questions? Email [email protected].