Cricket Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Wildash as our new General Manager – Performance.

In this role, Dave will oversee the high-performance environment for both the Wellington Firebirds, Wellington Blaze, and lead our wider performance and pathway programmes. His focus will be on supporting player development at all levels and ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success as we continue to produce BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.

Dave brings a wealth of experience in elite sport, with more than 16 years at Wellington Rugby and the Hurricanes in various performance roles, including Head of Physical Performance and Head of Strength & Conditioning. Most recently, he has served as High-Performance Programme Manager at Basketball New Zealand, where he led national performance programmes from U15 through to the Tall Blacks.

A proud Wellingtonian, Dave attended Upper Hutt College and played age-group cricket for Cricket Wellington during his youth. His return marks a meaningful step back into the cricketing community he grew up in.

“I’m thrilled to be coming on board with Cricket Wellington,” said Wildash.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the performance staff, players, and wider team to strengthen player development across the pathway and professional programmes.

It’s an exciting prospect to contribute to a collective effort that drives a high-performance environment and supports Wellington players in achieving success domestically and ultimately progressing to the international stage,” he said.

Cricket Wellington CEO Todd Bryant welcomed the appointment, saying:

“We’re delighted to have someone of Dave’s calibre join the team. His proven experience across multiple high-performance systems and his deep ties to Wellington sport make him a fantastic fit for this role. We’re excited about the impact he’ll have on the next generation of cricketers in the capital”

Starting at Cricket Wellington on June 16th, Dave will play a key part in shaping the performance strategy and culture across Cricket Wellington’s professional and development programmes, helping build an environment where players can thrive.

ENDS

Article added: Tuesday 20 May 2025