NZC announces landmark agreement of equal pay for men and women cricketers

New Zealand Cricket NZC on Tuesday announced a groundbreaking agreement which will see the countrys professional womens and mens cricketers receive the same pay for the same work on the same dayThe fiveyear landmark agreement struck between NZC the six Major Associations and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association NZCPA will see the White Ferns and domestic womens players receiving the same match fees as the men across all their formats and competitionsThis is a first deal in which the mens and womens professional environments have been combined in one agreement said NZC in a statementNZC the NZCPA and the six Major Associations worked towards a pay equity framework with the advice of Australian gender pay expert Yolanda Beattie whose expertise was sought by NZCPAThe improved pay and conditions are part of an agreement calculated on the countrys mens and womens professional players receiving 2975 per cent of all NZC forecast revenue over five years NZD 349m expected to amount to NZD 104mTranslated this means the highestranked White Fern would be able to receive a maximum of NZD 163246 a year up from NZD 83432 the ninthranked NZD 148946 NZD 66266 and the 17thranked NZD 142346 NZD 62833 said NZCThe topranked womens domestic players in each Major Association would be able to receive a maximum of NZD 19146 up from NZD 3423 the sixthranked NZD 18646 NZD 3423 and the 12thranked NZD 18146 NZD 3423The agreement sees the total number of womens domestic contracts increase from 54 to 72 all positioned as a secondary work commitment with restricted obligations to enable players to retain fulltime employment andor study commitmentsAlso Read India women create history chase down highest ODI score for the loss of no wicketIn addition the number of domestic womens annual contracts will be increased from nine to 12 per team and an annual womens North v South series for emerging international players will be introduced complementing the existing development programmesNew Zealands professional mens players whose match fees at T20I ODI Ford Trophy and Dream11 Super Smash level will be the same as the women will earn higher retainers based on the increased number of matches played formats contested and time spent training and playingThey have also received increases on current levels the topranked Black Cap able to receive a maximum of NZD 523396 up from NZD 459574 the 10thranked NZD 444196 NZD 377981 and the 20thranked NZD 367196 NZD 305453 said the statementAdditionally the highestranked domestic mens player in each Major Association would be in line to receive a maximum of NZD 102707 up from NZD 94437 the eighthranked NZD 87307 NZD 77357 and the 16thranked NZD 75207 NZD 64406The total remuneration for mens and womens professional players includes retainers match fees Trust IP payments retirement fund contributions and insuranceThey will retain their ability to play in overseas leagues including the IPL Another significant enhancement of the new Master Agreement will be a bigger funding envelope for the NZCPAs support services allowing it to increase investment in amongst other areas its Personal Development Programme particularly in terms of ensuring womens domestic players are offered the same level of support as the domestic men Black Caps and White FernsThe agreement to commence on August 1 also seeks to ensure professional womens 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 agreementsWhite Ferns captain Sophie Devine said the agreement was a gamechanger for womens cricket Its great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement alongside the men Its a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girlsNew Zealand mens team skipper Kane Williamson said it was an exciting time for the sport Its really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us and to support tomorrows players both men and women at all levels This agreement goes a long way towards achieving thatThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever