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NZ v India from 7.45pm tonightEXCLUSIVE: NZ20 Capital Fund - How community cricket may benefit from new competition
Alex Chapman • October 22nd, 2026 8:36 am
Photo: Photosport
Community cricket coffers could be set for a cash injection if NZ20 achieves its ambitions.
Following the release of the New Zealand Cricket Board’s explanation setting out why it opted for NZ20, Sport Nation has learned more details relating to the creation of a capital fund and how the resulting benefits may be received.
Earlier this month, NZC board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon confirmed that among the key factors behind the decision to choose the yet-to-begin competition as the country’s domestic T20 competition was the impact on grassroots cricket.
“There's an opportunity for a capital fund to be created through NZ20 that will inject capital into our major associations and district associations for community cricket.” Puketapu-Lyndon told Sport Nation.
“Our job, New Zealand Cricket, is here constitutionally for community cricket in New Zealand. And we felt that the NZ20 option gave community, gave fans, it gave players the best exposure and the best way that we could strengthen cricket in New Zealand.” she added.
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Sport Nation’s uncovered that 80 percent of sale proceeds from the six franchises would go into a Major Association Capital Fund, which would be governed by a trust deed.
The Trust would work with an investment fund to ensure that all funds are invested appropriately and professionally.
Every year, four-five percent of the value of, rather than the profit of the fund, would then be paid to seven entities – the six Major Associations (MAs) and a newly-created Players Association retirement fund. Every player who plays in NZ20 will benefit from the latter.
Sources have suggested the seven parties could initially receive as much as $400,000 in the early years of NZ20, with the MAs allowed to spend it on what each they deem fit and appropriate.
That fund would be expected to grow over time.
NZC said it “drew on four reports produced by industry experts” including strategic advisors In Your Corner, who assessed the impact on the Community game and High Performance. The reports also had input from 30 to 40 community leaders, which Sport Nation understands includes feedback sessions from various clubs around the country.
That’s resulted in the establishment of a capital fund from the sale of teams which NZC said “would help underpin the community game for years to come.”
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It’s also understood that a community voice group comprising of a combination of Major Associations, District Associations and clubs with direct lines back to the NZC board is also being discussed, though is a separate concept from NZ20.
The Community Voice Framework will have two bodies – one which the DAs and clubs feed into a group which they’ve elected, and another which includes the MAs and NZC Board.
It’s understood that NZC CEO Geoff Allott has spent extended periods with MAs, DAs, clubs and players since taking over the role in July, with the feedback Sport Nation has heard being largely positive.
NZC President Mark Greatbatch told Sport Nation earlier this month that the connection to the game was a big focus for him.
“One thing that I wanted to try and work on in my three years as President is where that’s at with the grassroots. And there’s no doubt that it needs work.
“There’s money going into the grassroots game with projects to help our grassroots. Our game has changed so much, the landscape has changed so much, and there’s a lot of money spent at the top end, and we aren’t the only sport that it happens in. And it’s important we get the balance right.
“So I understand districts who are worried for programmes. Not at high performance level but for kids who want to play the game, have fun, then we get a wider base, and then we get the better boys and girls out of the base so they can push up and play the higher level if they want to.”
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