Experienced physiotherapist Helen Littleworth has joined the SBS Bank Otago Sparks setup, providing on going physiotherapy support to the team. In an expansion of the services available to the playing group, Helen will travel with the team and attend weekly team trainings. This is a step up from the provision of physiotherapy to the women in past years. Helen was physiotherapist for Commonwealth Games teams in 2006 and 2010, the summer Olympics in 2008 and 2012 and the NZ Paralympics team to the 2016 summer games. She has also been physiotherapist for the White Ferns, Black Ferns, Athletics NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ.  

Completing the new members of the Otago Sparks support team is Hayden McNulty who will undertake the role of Strength and Conditioning Coach in a part time capacity. This is a new position for which Hayden is well qualified to deliver programmes to the women, having worked with the Highlanders, and this past season with the Hawkes Bay NPC side. He brings a passion for the game itself and a strong knowledge of strength and conditioning. Hayden is looking forward to working with a talented group of athletes to help them to develop to their potential.  

The selection panel for the Sparks is headed by Convenor Tama Walker. Tama was formerly head of Women’s Cricket for Otago Cricket between 2016 and 2018. He is currently working at the University of Otago as Kaitakawaenga Māori – Māori Community Liaison Officer. He was a selector in the 2021/22 season. He is joined by Head Coach Craig Cumming and Tanya Morrison, the former Sparks off spinner who played 65 List A games and 28 T20 games between 2002 and 2011. Tanya has coached the Otago U19 Girls team, is currently coach of the NZ Māori Women’s Secondary Schools cricket team and a highly respected coach in her own right. 

Article added: Wednesday 09 November 2022