June 14, 2025 • 11 mins
Former All Black Daryl Gibson has jumped the fence and taken up a new role - within a different sport.
Gibson is set to become the new Chief High Performance Officer for New Zealand Cricket, effective from next month.
He joined Piney to discuss what drew him to the role.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ADB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Cricket Meantime has a new Chief high Performance Officer and
it's a former All Black, Darryl Gibson. He is going
to start in the role next month, replacing the long
serving but now departing Brian Stronik. Daryl Gibson comes into
the job from his role as head of High Performance
Coaching at High Performance Sport New Zealand and Daryl Gibson
(00:35):
is with us on Weekend Sport. Daryl, thanks for taking
the time. Congratulations on the appointment. What was it about
this role that attracted you to it?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Well, thank first of all, thank you poney. That's quite
a mouthful. That title was what attracted me to the role.
I think obviously the role itself and the opportunity to
join an organization in New Zealand Cricket that is reshaping
itself to be fit purpose in an increasingly complex cricketing scene.
(01:12):
I think what we're seeing in sport, and I know
Rugby going through the same thing, is the way we're
consuming sport, how sport is funded and invested in is changing,
you know, with the way we consume sport with TV,
and it's making sure we're fit for purpose for that.
But then also, you know, cricket is ambitious, you know,
(01:34):
I really love that global nature. You know, MDT have
invested into Major League cricket in America, you know, so
it's it's sport that wants to go places, and you know,
I'm really really privileged to join.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I want to talk about about the complexity of the
of the global cricketing landscape in a moment, But what
do you perceive to be the most important parts of
this role?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
For me, the most important part is ensuring that we
are dainable competitive cricket nation year on here and for me,
that comes down to making sure that our high performance
system is producing men and women at a very high
level to sustain our competitive edge. We're a small nation
(02:24):
in terms of cricket and so we've always had to
beat above our capability and we've consistently done that over
the last fifteen years. So first of all, we're really
curious to learn what is it that we're doing better
than any other cricket nation in the world, because there
will be strengths there that we've got to make sure
we maintain. But they're also coming in with a fresh
(02:48):
set of eyes to see, Okay, we have some performance
growth and gaps currently in our system in ways that
we can be better.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
The cricketing landscape, as you've outlined there, has changed markedly
in recent times and we'll continue to do so, no doubt.
How do you ensure internation no success in the face
of the rise and rise of T twenty franchise cricket?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, and that that is a challenge, isn't it, Because
we can all see the large sums of money that
are on offer for our young men women in terms
of playing in IPL leagues solely. So I think there's
a real job to make sure that playing for New
Zealand in cricket Internationals and the three formats still retains
(03:35):
a very special place and meaning for the players because
we know we're competing with a large sums of money
an opportunity that if we were in similar positions you
would make it very difficult. So first of all, making
sure the environments that we produce in all three formats
are very compelling and the players want to come back
(03:57):
and play for New Zealand. I still think that players
are always going to need a platform to be able
to pick up the deals and contracts around the world,
You're still going to have to play well for your
country and be of the very, very best cricketer you
can be. So certainly where that challenge, that complexity of
(04:19):
the amount of cricket that is on offer around the
global stage and making sure that New Zealand still retains
that special place.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Do you think it does at the moment? Is that
I know you're about to start in the role, but
it feels to me as though there is that. Yes,
there are players who are opting not to take up
central contracts, but it seems to me and I don't
think they're lying when you ask the players, they still
talk about the specialness of the international environment. Is that
your perception too?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Absolutely, I still think it retains that general and I
want to play for my country and I want to
perform and be part of the team and challenge on
the international sort of global stage. So our challenges for
the coaches administrators in the game to make sure that
that's retained. The values of what we stand for identified too,
(05:13):
need to be very strong and clear right through our
whole pathway. So that's also part of the challenge of
making sure that retains.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
And you arrive into this role at around the same
time as a new Black Caps coach has just been appointed,
Rob Alter taking over from Gary Stead. Of course, just
the fact that you're new, he's new, and an extra
layer of challenge for you both or actually is it
a chance to look at things through two sets of
fresh eyes.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, I think there's a bit of both there. There
is definitely an opportunity. What attracted me to this role
is the fact that I knew there would be an
incoming head coach and an opportunity to potentially reshape things
in the direction that we feel that we need to go.
But then also the challenge of you have two new
people into the system, and that's something I spoke about
(06:02):
at my interview with the chair and the CE the
captains around the role that they have to ensure that
what everything that has been great about New Zealand cricket
has retained and then the two new people into the
system get to learn that really quickly about our standards
and our valuers and so forth, our culture and making
(06:25):
sure that we integrate quickly.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
If we just zoom out a bit, Daryl, regardless of
what sport it is are there key factors that apply
across all effective high performance environments?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Absolutely, and I think there are principles because very simply,
I'm not from cricket. I am that fresh pair of
eyes that can come into a system and look at
it from a point of view of principles. We're very
lucky here in New Zealand and that our principles are
pretty clear around high performance. It firstly starts with people.
(06:59):
We're in a people business. How do we get people
together operating in a very clear direction and purpose around
a really clear defined set of values that are special
and unique to our country and form in such a
way that produces sporting performances that firstly people here in
(07:20):
New Zealand can identify with and be very proud of.
And I think the way our sports people and that's
one of the things I've admired about our cricket team
is the way they play the game. We play to win,
but we also when we win, we win well, we
win with money, and I think that's really important. So
(07:43):
it's cutos and brilliant for the work that Gary, Mike Hessen,
Ben Sawyer and the women's game have really installed a
culture around Hey Yep, we play hard. We expect that,
as keywis, but also you know, we play the game
in the right spirit.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Just back to black Cats coaching role. There was talk
that perhaps a split and responsibilities might occur between red
and white ball. That hasn't been the case. Rob will
oversee all formats. Can you see a time down the
track when that is revisited.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I think possibly, you know, I'm sure New's on a
Cricket discussed all the different advantages and disadvantages of splitting
white ball red Bull. Obviously, having two coaches, two chiefs
of different areas would provide its challenge but also an opportunity,
whereas if you have one leader or one coach setting
(08:44):
the culture and framework across all three teams, it's certainly
more consistent and clearer for the players. And I guess
at this point in time we've opted for that and
that it's better to have one coach across all three formats.
Of course, the detraction in that, and we've seen that
over time, and Pine I think you'd agree it's a
(09:07):
heavy workload for one coach. You know, it's a considerable
amount of time away committed to cricket and those three formats,
So I think building building enough time for the coach
to recharge and regenerate themselves is going to be important.
You know, the way we look after our coach in
that regard is going to be part of the work
(09:29):
that I do.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And we'll know about your rugby career. Nineteen Test matches
for the All Blacks, multiple Super Rugby Championships with the Crusaders.
Do you play any cricket growing up?
Speaker 3 (09:41):
I certainly won't feature in the cricket b Rugmans play party.
I can assure you that just like many New Zealanders
grew up on a diet of when cricket was on
mainstream TV, you know those years where we're dominated with
Hadley and over in Australia, and obviously the money nineteen
(10:03):
World Cup features strongly in my mind. I've always admired cricketers.
I think getting on the pitch and facing someone who's
bowling at one, you know, it takes some courage and
bravery just to do that. So from that point of view,
certainly admire my cricket and it's all particularly five day
(10:27):
cricket Test match in terms of the consistency, the patients
and what character traits is required to win through five days.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well, congrats and again on the new role. Exciting times
ahead and interesting challenging times ahead as well for the
game of cricket, both domestically and internationally. I hope it
starts well. We'll look forward to catching up once you've
got your feet under the desk in a couple of months.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Time or so. Brilliant Thanks Boone, no, thank you, Daryl.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Darrel Gibson. There he is the new New Zealand Cricket
Chief High Performance Officer, replacing Brian Stronach. Looking forward very
much to seeing what he brings to that role.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks at b weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks ADB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Cricket Meantime has a new Chief high Performance Officer and
it's a former All Black, Darryl Gibson. He is going
to start in the role next month, replacing the long
serving but now departing Brian Stronik. Daryl Gibson comes into
the job from his role as head of High Performance
Coaching at High Performance Sport New Zealand and Daryl Gibson
(00:35):
is with us on Weekend Sport. Daryl, thanks for taking
the time. Congratulations on the appointment. What was it about
this role that attracted you to it?
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Well, thank first of all, thank you poney. That's quite
a mouthful. That title was what attracted me to the role.
I think obviously the role itself and the opportunity to
join an organization in New Zealand Cricket that is reshaping
itself to be fit purpose in an increasingly complex cricketing scene.
(01:12):
I think what we're seeing in sport, and I know
Rugby going through the same thing, is the way we're
consuming sport, how sport is funded and invested in is changing,
you know, with the way we consume sport with TV,
and it's making sure we're fit for purpose for that.
But then also, you know, cricket is ambitious, you know,
(01:34):
I really love that global nature. You know, MDT have
invested into Major League cricket in America, you know, so
it's it's sport that wants to go places, and you know,
I'm really really privileged to join.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I want to talk about about the complexity of the
of the global cricketing landscape in a moment, But what
do you perceive to be the most important parts of
this role?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
For me, the most important part is ensuring that we
are dainable competitive cricket nation year on here and for me,
that comes down to making sure that our high performance
system is producing men and women at a very high
level to sustain our competitive edge. We're a small nation
(02:24):
in terms of cricket and so we've always had to
beat above our capability and we've consistently done that over
the last fifteen years. So first of all, we're really
curious to learn what is it that we're doing better
than any other cricket nation in the world, because there
will be strengths there that we've got to make sure
we maintain. But they're also coming in with a fresh
(02:48):
set of eyes to see, Okay, we have some performance
growth and gaps currently in our system in ways that
we can be better.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
The cricketing landscape, as you've outlined there, has changed markedly
in recent times and we'll continue to do so, no doubt.
How do you ensure internation no success in the face
of the rise and rise of T twenty franchise cricket?
Speaker 3 (03:12):
Yeah, and that that is a challenge, isn't it, Because
we can all see the large sums of money that
are on offer for our young men women in terms
of playing in IPL leagues solely. So I think there's
a real job to make sure that playing for New
Zealand in cricket Internationals and the three formats still retains
(03:35):
a very special place and meaning for the players because
we know we're competing with a large sums of money
an opportunity that if we were in similar positions you
would make it very difficult. So first of all, making
sure the environments that we produce in all three formats
are very compelling and the players want to come back
(03:57):
and play for New Zealand. I still think that players
are always going to need a platform to be able
to pick up the deals and contracts around the world,
You're still going to have to play well for your
country and be of the very, very best cricketer you
can be. So certainly where that challenge, that complexity of
(04:19):
the amount of cricket that is on offer around the
global stage and making sure that New Zealand still retains
that special place.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Do you think it does at the moment? Is that
I know you're about to start in the role, but
it feels to me as though there is that. Yes,
there are players who are opting not to take up
central contracts, but it seems to me and I don't
think they're lying when you ask the players, they still
talk about the specialness of the international environment. Is that
your perception too?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Absolutely, I still think it retains that general and I
want to play for my country and I want to
perform and be part of the team and challenge on
the international sort of global stage. So our challenges for
the coaches administrators in the game to make sure that
that's retained. The values of what we stand for identified too,
(05:13):
need to be very strong and clear right through our
whole pathway. So that's also part of the challenge of
making sure that retains.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
And you arrive into this role at around the same
time as a new Black Caps coach has just been appointed,
Rob Alter taking over from Gary Stead. Of course, just
the fact that you're new, he's new, and an extra
layer of challenge for you both or actually is it
a chance to look at things through two sets of
fresh eyes.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, I think there's a bit of both there. There
is definitely an opportunity. What attracted me to this role
is the fact that I knew there would be an
incoming head coach and an opportunity to potentially reshape things
in the direction that we feel that we need to go.
But then also the challenge of you have two new
people into the system, and that's something I spoke about
(06:02):
at my interview with the chair and the CE the
captains around the role that they have to ensure that
what everything that has been great about New Zealand cricket
has retained and then the two new people into the
system get to learn that really quickly about our standards
and our valuers and so forth, our culture and making
(06:25):
sure that we integrate quickly.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
If we just zoom out a bit, Daryl, regardless of
what sport it is are there key factors that apply
across all effective high performance environments?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Absolutely, and I think there are principles because very simply,
I'm not from cricket. I am that fresh pair of
eyes that can come into a system and look at
it from a point of view of principles. We're very
lucky here in New Zealand and that our principles are
pretty clear around high performance. It firstly starts with people.
(06:59):
We're in a people business. How do we get people
together operating in a very clear direction and purpose around
a really clear defined set of values that are special
and unique to our country and form in such a
way that produces sporting performances that firstly people here in
(07:20):
New Zealand can identify with and be very proud of.
And I think the way our sports people and that's
one of the things I've admired about our cricket team
is the way they play the game. We play to win,
but we also when we win, we win well, we
win with money, and I think that's really important. So
(07:43):
it's cutos and brilliant for the work that Gary, Mike Hessen,
Ben Sawyer and the women's game have really installed a
culture around Hey Yep, we play hard. We expect that,
as keywis, but also you know, we play the game
in the right spirit.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Just back to black Cats coaching role. There was talk
that perhaps a split and responsibilities might occur between red
and white ball. That hasn't been the case. Rob will
oversee all formats. Can you see a time down the
track when that is revisited.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
I think possibly, you know, I'm sure New's on a
Cricket discussed all the different advantages and disadvantages of splitting
white ball red Bull. Obviously, having two coaches, two chiefs
of different areas would provide its challenge but also an opportunity,
whereas if you have one leader or one coach setting
(08:44):
the culture and framework across all three teams, it's certainly
more consistent and clearer for the players. And I guess
at this point in time we've opted for that and
that it's better to have one coach across all three formats.
Of course, the detraction in that, and we've seen that
over time, and Pine I think you'd agree it's a
(09:07):
heavy workload for one coach. You know, it's a considerable
amount of time away committed to cricket and those three formats,
So I think building building enough time for the coach
to recharge and regenerate themselves is going to be important.
You know, the way we look after our coach in
that regard is going to be part of the work
(09:29):
that I do.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And we'll know about your rugby career. Nineteen Test matches
for the All Blacks, multiple Super Rugby Championships with the Crusaders.
Do you play any cricket growing up?
Speaker 3 (09:41):
I certainly won't feature in the cricket b Rugmans play party.
I can assure you that just like many New Zealanders
grew up on a diet of when cricket was on
mainstream TV, you know those years where we're dominated with
Hadley and over in Australia, and obviously the money nineteen
(10:03):
World Cup features strongly in my mind. I've always admired cricketers.
I think getting on the pitch and facing someone who's
bowling at one, you know, it takes some courage and
bravery just to do that. So from that point of view,
certainly admire my cricket and it's all particularly five day
(10:27):
cricket Test match in terms of the consistency, the patients
and what character traits is required to win through five days.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well, congrats and again on the new role. Exciting times
ahead and interesting challenging times ahead as well for the
game of cricket, both domestically and internationally. I hope it
starts well. We'll look forward to catching up once you've
got your feet under the desk in a couple of months.
Speaker 3 (10:54):
Time or so. Brilliant Thanks Boone, no, thank you, Daryl.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Darrel Gibson. There he is the new New Zealand Cricket
Chief High Performance Officer, replacing Brian Stronach. Looking forward very
much to seeing what he brings to that role.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks at b weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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