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April 28, 2026 13 mins

New Zealand Cricket have been the first of the three major codes to announce who will be taking over as CEO in 2026.

Geoff Allott, a former Black Caps fast bowler, will be assuming the role from the first of July this year and there will be plenty on his plate when he steps into the role.

Geoff joined D'Arcy to discuss. 

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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Wildergrave
from News Talk z'd be.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Bad first Helling Cricket have been the first of three
major coach to announce who will be taking over as
chief executive in twenty twenty sixth. Jeff Allott from My
black Caps fast Bowler will be assuming the role from
July one this year, and there will be plenty. I
hope he's got a big plate because it's going to
be stuffed with viddles. When he steps in, He's got

(00:35):
quite the feed in front of him and he joins us. Now,
good evening, Jeff, Darcy, how are you good? First up?
Congratulations on getting the role. It's funny, isn't it. You
play for them for so long. You've involved in and
out with all sorts of different organizations that are linked
up with n ZID Cricket. Who would I think you'd
be running the whole show.

Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yeah. I must have met, probably even told months or
even less than that. A couple of months ago. I
hadn't really seriously considered the opportunity, but I have stayed
really connected. I've been really proud to sort of serve
on the Candy Cricket board for a couple of years.
In New Zealand Cricket board for eight years, so and
outside of that, you know, even with business into India,
I just feel like I've stayed, as I say, connected

(01:16):
to the game and certainly the passion has always been there.

Speaker 2 (01:20):
You've had time away. How important is that taxting not
be in the weeds within z cricket. You see, you've
been with canterbur Cricket, You've been working with Quality in
Z so you have you've had some distance since your
last I suppose officially employed them, was that back in
two thousand and eight twenty ten.

Speaker 3 (01:35):
Yeah, I mean it is from an operational point of view, YI,
and I think your point's valid that you're sort of
broaden your horizons and particularly to have that experience in
India has been incredible over the last fourteen years. So
that's that really helps with networks and there are a
nation that you've really got to do the hard yards
around relationships to make it different. So we've thoroughly enjoyed

(01:56):
that piece. But I guess, you know, referring back to
the eight years on the board of New Zealand Cricket,
at least from me, I feel like I really know
what the leaders are. I have a really good understanding
of what you know, how and what is important to
New Zealand cricket. So I feel comfortable and confident. I
guess going into it that I've got enough in the

(02:16):
background to have a wee bit of a head start.

Speaker 2 (02:19):
Jeff, things have changed dramatically in the landscape of pro sport.
I think in cricket it is changing extraordinarily quickly, so
you can't lean too much on that time because almost
it's not relevant anymore.

Speaker 3 (02:34):
Yeah, although again, you know, when you look at what's
going on in India, and you look at what's going
on around the world around broadcast rights and so forth,
you know that being in those markets helps you understand that,
so you know, and I think that's the important piece
about staying connected all the way through. So you know,
for me, it's knowing and watching the game evolve, and
I'm really excited by that, to be honest. You know,

(02:55):
if you look at the skills of the current men's
and women's players, you know, they are infinitely better in
my opinion what they were, and certainly I played and
certainly my own abilities. But know and I love that
because that's what we need to keep pushing the development
of our game. That is what's going to you know,
it's a competitive, competitive environment out there, and you know

(03:16):
we need people with great skills. We're seeing that come
through and I'm actually the next few years in terms
of the evolvement of cricket is going to be a
really exciting one.

Speaker 2 (03:27):
What's your most pressing task? First up? So look at
your first three months, the first six months, what do
you need to achieve?

Speaker 3 (03:34):
Look, I like to sort of rely on strong relationships,
and I think cricket needs a little bit of cohesiveness
and a little bit of direction. So I want to
get out into the maas and our das, our districts
and our major associations. I want to get to our
commercial partners, our life members. You know, it's important that

(03:56):
we connect. And so it sounds a little bit cliche,
but I genuinely feel that we've got enormous opportunities once
we're all sort of heading in the same direction, in
the right direction, then you know that that makes it
makes a big difference, right, And we've got some really
capable people out there and on that I think is
the area that I really want to push in the
first few months.

Speaker 2 (04:15):
A difficult time for New Zealand cricket. Scott Winning stepping
to one side, We've got the drama that in Z
twenty and actually who wants to engage with this product
and how it's going to affect the international game. So
considering the speed at which they want to travel in
ZED twenty, you've got to be leaning into that reasonably quickly, don't.

Speaker 3 (04:34):
You, Jeff, Yeah, I think there's a number of projects actually,
and on top of that, of course we've got a
huge twelve months playing program, you know, ahead for both
me and Womanly, So you know, there's those couple of
key projects that are really exciting. I think for our game,
you know, we have to make sure that that we
are putting the resource to looking into the opportunities and

(04:57):
making sure that we're actually also having to say on
what the future looks like. So one hundred percent, you know,
let's let's explore those opportunities. And from my point of view,
you know, it looks like cricket will prosper.

Speaker 2 (05:09):
Essentially, the last CEO he lost his job because he
wasn't interested in m Z twenty. He wanted to do
due process and we know the story, it's being one
for such a long time. Where do you sit with
n Z twenty about whether you want it or not,
whether it will be effective or not, how much controlled
you believe you have in that space with initiating this,

(05:30):
what will be your turning point if it happens for
end zed cricket. Where do you stand on this one.

Speaker 3 (05:34):
Jeff, Look, I had a little bit of an insight
early on into it, and I need to obviously get
up to speed on the first of July or before
that when I get into it. But I'm really excited
by the opportunity, and there's some really strong cricket brains
that are now involved in pursuing the opportunity. And for me,

(05:55):
as I say, you know, we're the only nation that
doesn't or full member I should say that doesn't have
its own franchise league. The game is evolving rapidly, broadcasters
are wanting toferent material and we need to be, you know,
I guess at the forefront of these opportunities or where
we will get left behind. So exploring it. I know

(06:16):
there's been a huge amount of working behind it, and
and just the concept, you know, when we're actually if
it's ticking a box around high performance. If it's ticking
a box where our players want to play in a
domestic competition and it's fan centric and it creates some
financial stability, then we should definitely be pursuing it.

Speaker 2 (06:35):
What kind of CEO do you think you're going to be?
Is it on the boss you're doing it? I say,
you're following me or more of a cohesive approach when
you look across the amaze and go while I represent you,
where do you think you stand in that spread?

Speaker 3 (06:49):
Look? I think MS and das are remarkable. Frankly, you know,
the really hard part of this business is around the
community and and I think they do a tremendous job.
So I really we have to rely on each other,
you know, that sort of cohesive approach, And that's why
I mentioned earlier. You know, I want to get out
and understand their challenges. I want to make sure that

(07:10):
we're working together and leveraging all the skills that we've got,
you know, in cricket. And that's the really exciting part
really is to leverage all of the networks we have
to make ourselves a better sport.

Speaker 2 (07:21):
What are you connections like with the BCCI, but with
the ic C, because playing the franchise cricket is dominating,
but international cricket extraordinary relevant. You can't have one without
the other. But the ability of you to negotiate or
talk freely with all of these characters, that's one of
the most pressing tasks you've got because we've seen what's

(07:43):
happened with New Zealand cricket and the amount of players
that aren't playing internationally because they're off playing franchise cricket.
This is is a real balance that you've got to
be across, right.

Speaker 3 (07:53):
It is, and you know that's one of the challenges
that we've got to look at, you know, and understand
where the game's hitting. You asked about, you know, the relationships.
I think that's something that you know, I'm really confident,
confident about bringing is I've got experienperience, I guess with
some of the current management and the ICC. You know,
New Zealand Crickets had an incredible relationship with the BCCI

(08:13):
for a long time now and in fact awful members
for that matter. So you know, it's an important part
of our strategy to make sure that we're not just
looking insular at New Zealand cricket, but actually far broader
than that and that landscape you mentioned before as well.
Our cricket is evolving rapidly and we've got to make
sure we're working together all nations to make sure that

(08:36):
we are heading in the right direction and getting the
mix of cricket.

Speaker 2 (08:38):
Right now valuable? Is it that A it's two pronged
here that bet here and ex inter Nasty represented New
Zealand team tests. Are you on Monday internationals? You know
what it's like at that top level. And the fact
spent a lot of time working with Quality in Z
that export company that brings KIV products to South Asia.
It's pretty key as well, isn't it, both of those facets.

Speaker 3 (09:01):
Yeah, and I'm really proud of what we have for
chiefs over fourteen years with Q and Z and the
team actually that continues to march on there in New
Zealand government yesterday signed the free trade agreement with India,
so I know that sports diplomacy is actually part of
that free trade agreement, so it is all interconnected. India
has a massive passion for cricket. It is a language

(09:25):
around business, so you know we need to look at
that in terms of our strategy as well to make
sure that we are fully leveraged in what is undoubtedly
the biggest commercial market for our sports. So you know,
that's really really important and as an advantage I guess
having had those relationships and connections in the country. So

(09:47):
in regards of being a former player, I wasn't much
of a player, Darcy, but.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
I watched you through the ninety nine World Cup and
I got no sleep as a direct result. How dare
you equaled the great shame warm of the most wickets
taken in that tournament? Stop being so humble. It doesn't
suit you.

Speaker 3 (10:03):
Well, I must admit, I think as many many people
will tell you, you know, a very favorable conditions. So
that was a bit of luck. But at the end
of the day, playing the game does matter, and I
think that comes back to again the connections, but also understanding,
you know, some of the pressures that the players are
under and some of the opportunities that they're facing. How

(10:24):
do we support them? You know, that's really important. I
want both our White fans and their Black Caps wanting
to play in our competitions here as well and as
much as possible for New Zealand. But At the same time,
I think we've learned over the years that some really
good decisions, for example around high performance and the ability

(10:44):
to play in the IPL has really improved high performance
standards for the players. So we've got to continue to
be nimble and to be a bit brave around some
of those decisions and support support. I guess we'll understanding,
you know, what's required from a player's perspective, to keep
enhunting the game.

Speaker 2 (11:00):
When you think you're going to find out about what
happens in January and ZED twenty gets under way. If
it does, there's a small case of a shrill lank
until it's going to be a huge fly in the ointment.
Have you thought about that, because that's on the horizon,
isn't it, Jeff, Yeah, it is.

Speaker 3 (11:15):
It's a little bit beyond me just at the moment.
I'm still pretty deep in my Q and Z and
stuff until the first of July, so, but it's one
of the most important pieces and you're right you raised
it before. You know, we need to make sure that
those matters are addressed if in fact that is the case,
and working with as we always have New Zealand Cricket.
You know, when I was involved with his management, but

(11:36):
also on the board. You work closely alongside your other
nations and partners. There's always things that change, and so
we just need to make sure that we're communicating well.
I think that's going to be the key, and that
we make really good decisions based on good future opportunities.

Speaker 2 (11:52):
Last one for me, mister Allupon, thanks for being so patient.
We have a world championship team. It's the way. Hey nay.
If that's not a growth area in New Zealand cricket,
I don't know what is. You mentioned the women before.
How prevalent are they going to be in your tenure?
Do you think lifting up their game from the grassroots

(12:12):
at the very top?

Speaker 3 (12:14):
No, I love it and unreservedly. You know, I was
really proud to be involved in a woman in governance piece.
Now mentioned that because I think that helps. You know,
when you start getting different views, diverse reviews around the
board table, you then start bringing in different strategy. And
no doubt about it that the attention towards the woman's

(12:34):
game has come from the top. It needs to filter
through management and one, you know, I see a massive future.
I was in India recently talking with some major investors
in the game over there, and it's really exciting the
opportunities I think that are coming up for women in
our sports, so we will be all in behind that.

Speaker 2 (12:56):
Can you get a game of T twenty in the
new christ Yet Stadium.

Speaker 3 (13:01):
I've got no comment on that, Darty, but I was
super impressed and I was a little bit of so
I might have to work on something around those lines.

Speaker 2 (13:10):
Jeff Aleck, congratulations on the role and thanks very much
for joining us here at news Talk ZB. You look
after yourself, Thanks Darcy.

Speaker 1 (13:17):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to news Talk
ZB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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