New Zealand's professional women's and men's cricketers are set to receive the same match fees, in an agreement struck between New Zealand Cricket, the six Major Associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The five-year deal, the first in which the men's and women's professional environments have been combined in one agreement, will mean the White Ferns and domestic women's players receive equal match fees to the men across all their formats and competitions.
However, New Zealand's professional men's players will earn much higher retainers, based on the increased number of matches played, formats contested, and time spent training and playing.
The improved pay and conditions are part of an agreement calculated on the country's men's and women's professional players receiving 29.75% of all NZC forecast revenue over five years ($349m), expected to amount to $104m.
The highest-ranked White Ferns player would be able to receive a maximum of $163,246 a year (up from $83,432), the ninth-ranked, $148,946 ($66,266), and the 17th-ranked $142,346 ($62,833).
By compare, the top-ranked Black Caps players are now able to receive a maximum of $523,396 (up from $459,574), the tenth-ranked $444,196 ($377,981), and the 20th-ranked $367,196 ($305,453).
The top-ranked women's domestic players in each Major Association would be able to receive a maximum of $19,146 (up from $3,423), the sixth-ranked $18,646 ($3,423), and the 12th-ranked $18,146 ($3,423).
The highest-ranked domestic men's player in each Major Association would be in line to receive a maximum of $102,707 (up from $94,437), the eighth-ranked $87,307 ($77,357), and the 16th-ranked $75,207 ($64,406).
Under the agreement, the total number of women's domestic contracts increase from 54 to 72, all positioned as a secondary work commitment with restricted obligations, to enable players to retain full-time employment and/or study commitments.
In addition, the number of domestic women's annual contracts will be increased from nine to twelve per team, and an annual women's North v South series for emerging international players will be introduced, complementing the existing development programmes.
The total remuneration for men's and women's professional players includes retainers, match fees, Trust IP payments, retirement fund contributions and insurance.
They will retain their ability to play in overseas leagues, including the IPL.
NZC, the NZCPA and the six Major Associations worked towards a pay equity framework with the advice of gender pay expert, Yolanda Beattie.
Another significant enhancement of the new Master Agreement will be a bigger funding envelope for the NZCPA's support services, allowing it to increase investment in its Personal Development Programme, particularly in terms of ensuring women's domestic players are offered the same level of support as the domestic men, the Black Caps and the White Ferns
The agreement, to commence on August 1, also seeks to ensure professional women's players receive equity in matters such as travel and accommodation, and the wider playing and training environment.
It retains the pregnancy and childcare provisions contained in the existing agreements.
NZC chief executive David White said the inaugural joint agreement represented important progress for professional cricket in New Zealand.
"I want to thank and congratulate the players and the Major Associations for their part in reaching such a significant agreement," he 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's 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 that, over the corresponding five-year period, NZC and the six Major Associations had also committed to additional investment in the community game.
NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills was delighted both the men's and women's professional players were now part of the same agreement.
"We're thrilled to now have one agreement that includes our entire playing group," he said.
"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."
Northern Districts chief executive Ben MacCormack, who was one of the Major Associations' representatives, said the increased resourcing of the domestic game was a focus of the negotiations.
"We're very pleased," he said. "It was critical we took a further step towards supporting domestic players, and particularly our women cricketers.
"This is huge for the future of cricket in this country, and we're just thrilled for both sets of domestic players in terms of the progress made."
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine said the agreement was a game-changer for women's cricket.
"It's great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men.
"It's a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls."
The Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson said it was an exciting time for the sport.
"It's really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, and to support tomorrow's players, both men and women, at all levels.
"This agreement goes a long way towards achieving that."
Match fees (Women and Men):
Tests: $10,250
ODIs: $4,000
T20Is: $2,500
Plunket Shield: $1,750
Ford Trophy/Hallyburton Johnstone Shield: $800
Super Smash: $575
