Auckland Cricket is pleased to announce the appointment of Evan Jones as the new General Manager of Performance and Talent.

Jones brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA), where he served as the Player Services Manager and Legal Counsel.

His role at NZCPA encompassed a broad range of responsibilities, including stakeholder engagement, leadership within high-performance cricketing environments, and conflict resolution. Additionally, Jones managed legal, risk/compliance, and governance matters, along with various operations, logistics, and event delivery functions.

Jones says: "I’m really excited to be joining Auckland Cricket and to lead its high performance programme. I’ve been fortunate in my role at the NZCPA to gain an understanding of the various high performance environments across the country, and I’m looking forward to using that knowledge to build on the systems, processes and culture of success that is already in place at Auckland Cricket.

"There are two fantastic playing groups in the ACES and HEARTS, great staff and some hugely exciting opportunities in the age group and pathway space – I can’t wait to see where we can take things over the next few years."

Jones is well-versed in the Master Agreement, contracting processes, and the overall high-performance structures in New Zealand. He also boasts strong relationships with the playing groups, having established connections with players from both the ACES and HEARTS teams.

Additionally, he has expansive cricketing network connections within the NZC High Performance Unit and across various Major Associations and his insight into high-performance environments will undoubtedly help him make an impact in Auckland Cricket's Performance and Talent space.

Auckland Cricket's interim CEO Ian Francis says Jones was the best of a high quality field of applicants: "Evan was selected from a high calibre of candidates for the role of GM Performance and Talent. 

"Evan’s connection to and understanding of the High Performance cricket system and his ability to develop and lead relationships between the players, the MAs and New Zealand Cricket were a key factor in his selection for this important role at Auckland Cricket," says Francis.

Auckland Cricket is excited to  have Jones on board and is eager to see him utilise his leadership and management skills to take Auckland Cricket to the next level and to contribute to its continued success.

Jones will begin his role on the 19th of August.

Article added: Monday 17 June 2024