Former White Ferns and Otago Sparks allrounder Sarah Tsukigawa. Copyright photo © Steve McArthur / www.photosport.nz Photo: Steve McArthur / @RowingCelebration
Former White Ferns and Otago Sparks all-rounder Sarah Tsukigawa has been appointed women's national selector, taking over the role vacated by Jason Wells in May.
Tsukigawa will work with White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer and be responsible for selection of all White Ferns and female pathway squads.
A former Otago Sparks captain, Tsukigawa played 61 games across both formats for New Zealand between 2006 and 2011, alongside a domestic career in which she represented Otago on 153 occasions.
Following her playing career, Tsukigawa has held roles as selector and assistant coach of the Otago Sparks, all while continuing her career as a teacher in Dunedin.
New Zealand Cricket head of women's high performance Liz Green said the women's national selector would be responsible for the identification of talent across the women's pathway, succession planning and maintaining relationships with major association coaches and talent identifiers.
Green said Tsukigawa demonstrated a good understanding of selection dynamics, alongside her knowledge of the women's domestic game.
"Sarah has a clear passion for talent identification and development," said Green.
"She has a unique skillset with her experience both as a player and a selector, so she brings an understanding of the selection process from both points of view.
"She's also great at building relationships and understands the varying stakeholders involved in the selection process which will be important in her decision-making."
Tsukigawa said she was delighted to be appointed.
"I've always wanted to get back involved in women's cricket and give back to the game that has given me so much," she said.
"Clear communication is an important part of selection and I feel I can bring that, along with my experience as a player.
"I've got a lot of belief in this current group of White Ferns and the pathway that is being developed to produce future White Ferns.
"NZC's investment in the women's game has created incredible opportunities for female cricketers and I'm looking forward to contributing throughout the pathway."
Tsukigawa officially began the role on 19 August.
The White Ferns squad for the T20 series against Australia and the T20 World Cup in the UAE will be announced on 10 Tuesday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.