On September 20th 2017 myself and Sam Murphy (YMCA) set out towards Auckland, New Zealand. The 26-hour journey was a bit unpleasant to say the least but we eventually arrived at our destination where we were greeted by Sam Walker (Northland Coach) and taken to Whangarei. We had both been linked with playing our cricket in the Northland region which is roughly two hours north of Auckland. This summer I will be playing for Kamo CC while Sam is playing for Maungakaramea CC.

We are now here just over a month and are both really enjoying all the challenges living away from home. After jumping from different sorts of accommodation we eventually found a house to rent located in Kamo, Whangarei.

Our cricket training is going very well at the moment; we both train 3/4 times per week having two sessions with Northland, a representative side, one with our clubs and one by ourselves in the indoor facility at Cobham Oval. The first league game will be this weekend after having a few friendlies in the last couple of weeks.

Outside of cricket we have both taken up jobs to pay for our rent and meals. Sam has been working on a dairy farm helping out as a labourer for the last four weeks and is really enjoying it. The only downside of it would be the early starts i.e. 5.30am. I was lucky to be asked to coach cricket in schools and with my club through the Northland cricket set-up. I am currently coaching 4/5 times a week in local schools with kids aged from four up to twelve. It is great fun as the kids’ love being outdoors and active.

Luckily, I have been a part of the Leinster provincial coaching set-up over the past three winters, so this experience has proved invaluable to my new coaching role out here.

The last three weeks travelling to schools and coaching with my club has been a great experience. Coaching in schools consists of the basics of cricket as many of them haven’t played before, we focus on the simple skills of batting, bowling and fielding. We always finish our classes with a bit of fun and games which the kids are very enthusiastic about. I coach twice a week with my club taking the A, B and C grades of the youth section.

Everyone here has been very welcoming and friendly to us and we are starting to settle into a routine now. It has been a great opportunity for us to play cricket in different conditions and meet new people along the way. We hope to both keep you updated on our journey in the coming weeks.

Mark Donegan

The Hills CC

November 2017

Photo: Mark Donegan coaching junior players at Ruawai Primary school