Some huge news for New Zealand's women cricketers this week!
NZ's professional cricketers will be earning the same pay for the first time in a landmark agreement between the six Major Associations in our regions, NZC and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
The five-year agreement is the first between the men's and women's teams and will see the White Ferns and domestic women's players receiving the same as the men across all competitions.
How good!
As reported by the NZ Herald, the increased salary and conditions are part of the deal in which the country's men's and women's professional players would get 29.75% of all NZC anticipated revenue.
This means a maximum annual salary of $163,246 for the highest-ranking White Fern up from $83,432.
And a maximum annual salary of $19,146 up from $3,423 for the highest-ranking domestic women's players.
Under the deal, the total number of women's domestic contracts grew from 54 to 72, all of which are positioned as a secondary work commitment, allowing players to maintain full-time employment and/or studies.
The number of domestic women's contracts will be upped from nine to twelve per team, and an annual women's North v South competition will be launched to help develop future international players.
NOTE: Retainers, match fees, Trust IP payments, retirement fund contributions, and insurance are all part of the overall salary for both men's and women's professional players.
With a pay increase and a new competition introduced, we are extremely proud of New Zealand Cricket for making this move and can't wait to see these changes highlight women's cricket in Aotearoa!
