Nelson College Cricket

Hey year 8s!

Coming to Nelson College in 2027? Get in touch if you would like to play 5th grade, afternoon Cricket for Nelson College this season, beginning in October.

Alternatively, if you would like continue playing for a club in the morning, and play additional afternoon Cricket for NC we may be able to accommodate you.

Ride the wave! 🌊

Welcome to the 2026/27 season!

We are proud to showcase our wonderful supporters and have an amazing group of local companies and organisations who are getting behind Nelson College Cricket this year.

From Edridge, ACOB Cricket Club, Not Just Concrete and Mitre 10 Nelson helping out with our net upgrade - to Novus, McCashin’s, Body Project, Little India Nelson and Kilbernie Sports offering products, service and discounts - to Quaystone, The Legal House, Tavendale and Partners and others giving financial support, - It’s all hugely appreciated.

All these contributions large or small help make our program the best it can be and allows us to continue to offer great opportunities and pathways to over 80 boys playing our game.

Please support these companies if you can, as they support us for the upcoming season.

The 2026/27 season is shaping up to be our biggest season yet, with 8 teams taking to the field! Head to PlayHQ to register or email [email protected] to enquire.

Let’s go NC! 🏏🏏🏏

Nelson College Old Boys Nelson College Sport Nelson College

🕺 SAVE THE DATE 💃

This will be a great evening and is one of our main fundraisers for Nelson College Cricket this season as we invest in our top field nets, bring over two overseas pros and continue to build our program.

Tickets through Humantix, this is open to everyone - friends, family, players and the wider community.

We hope to see you there!

Nelson College Sport Nelson College Old Boys Nelson College

Rest in peace Richard Hayward - a fantastic gentleman, and a great coach and mentor to many Nelson College boys and the wider Cricket community over the years.

It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge Richard Hayward, a Life Member of Nelson Cricket, who passed away in Nelson on 27 August 2026.

By any measure Richard was one of the greats of Nelson Cricket as a player, captain, coach and administrator.

Richard grew up in England playing for the Ickenham Club before playing for Buckinghamshire in the Minor Counties competition and then playing first class cricket for Hampshire and Somerset.

Richard came out to Nelson to coach and play each season from 1979 returning to England to play their season until settling in Nelson permanently with his wife Sue in the mid-80’s.

He very quickly settled into the Nelson lifestyle, becoming an integral and popular member of both the Wakatu Club and the Nelson team (through the 80’s Hawke Cup era).

As a player Richard was very competitive but also played the game with deep respect for the traditions and spirit of the game.

Richard played for Nelson between 1979 and 1991 (captaining the team between 1982 and 1988) playing 88 games (5th highest all time) scoring 3704 runs (4th highest all time) at an average of 49.39 with 24 fifties and 7 centuries.

Arguably Richard’s greatest innings for Nelson was 91 in the Hawke Cup Challenge against Northland in1984. Batting on a difficult pitch in challenging weather and light conditions against a very strong Northland attack he held the innings together as Nelson eked out 227 runs before bowling Northland out for 187 to win back the Hawke Cup after losing it to them the prior season.

Richard also played first class cricket for Central Districts from 1983 to 1986 playing 27 first class and 16 List A games and captaining the team for 2 seasons. He was the captain of the 1985 Shell Cup winning team.

Through the 90’s Richard worked as Coaching Director for Nelson Cricket before moving to Christchurch in 2002 as Canterbury Cricket’s Director of Coaching and Development, a position he held for 12 years.

In 2014 he returned home to Nelson to take over as General Manager of Nelson Cricket before retiring in 2016. His time at the helm of Nelson Cricket coincided with the development of Saxton Oval as a regular International Cricket venue including hosting 3 games in the 2015 World Cup and Richard played a huge part in the successes of Nelson Cricket during this time.

New Zealand Cricket appointed Richard as a Match Referee in 2017 reflecting the respect that he was held in right across the game in New Zealand, and he continued in this role through until 2025 including refereeing 19 Women’s International games.

At Nelson Cricket’s 2022 AGM Richard was nominated and elected as a Life Member of Nelson Cricket recognising his years of service to Nelson Cricket at all levels.

We are sure that all in the cricket community will join with the Board and staff in acknowledging and celebrating our mate Richard and extending our condolences and best wishes to Sue, Juliette, Melanie, and the wider family.

SRI LANKA CRICKET TOUR 2027

Calling all Nelson cricketers aged 15–17!

Join us for an unforgettable Cricket and cultural tour of Sri Lanka in 2027, in collaboration Brad Norris (Nelson College), Ramesh Lakmal (Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club) and Ceylon Panacea Ventures.

- 5 cricket matches
- 10+ incredible cultural experiences
- 3–5 star accommodation
- A true trip of a lifetime!

Hosted through Ceylon Panacea Ventures Ltd, a company with a proven record of successfully delivering tours for U19s, U16s, and Over-40s teams from Auckland.

Only 24 player spaces are available. Parents are also welcome to join the tour.

Don’t miss this opportunity to develop your cricket, experience a new culture, and make memories that will last forever.

To express your interest or request an information pack, email [email protected].

Nb: This is not associated with Nelson College, we are sharing on behalf of Ceylon Panacea Ventures.

Registrations are open for the 2026/27 Cricket season!

Play Cricket for Nelson College this season and build great friendships, challenge yourself and have a whole lot of fun in the process.

Links below! Year 9 = Youth, Year 10 and 11 = Please register twice for both grades, Year 12 and 13 = Senior.

Senior:

https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/register/27e8d9

Youth:

https://www.playhq.com/new-zealand-cricket/register/ce3eaf

Nb: No payment is required at this point. Any questions please email [email protected]

Better Starts Now.

Well done to the 34 selected players who will begin winter training next week in preparation for the upcoming 2026/27 Cricket season.

The group represents progress and depth within our program - with effort and performance rewarded from the 2025/26 season.

Nathan Gestro will coach the 2nd XI for his 2nd season in charge, whilst Brad Norris will coach the 1st XI, now in his 3rd season with the team.

The latest Kookaburra range is out!

Nelson College is proud to have a great relationship with Kookaburra, and all our Cricketers like last season, will have a direct discount opportunity through Kilbernie Sports.

Season 26/27 is around the corner! 🔥

📣 CALLING ALL COACHES!
Expressions of interest are now open for representative coaches for the 2026/27 season. If you consider yourself a cricket coach and would like to be involved with any of our flagship or age group rep teams, we want to hear from you!

It's an extremely rewarding opportunity to be part of helping Nelson excel on the regional cricket level, and we rely on keen coaches like you to help make it happen!

➡ Please fill out the form with your details - it's only a few questions. Submissions close 5pm June 30th. https://shorturl.at/sXix4