Mike Sandle is set to reunite with the Black Caps after accepting a position as the team’s Performance Manager.
Currently the chief executive of the Taranaki Rugby , Sandle will finish at the end of the current rugby season to join up with the side he previously managed from 2011 to 2021.
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He will replace Simon Insley, who stepped down from the role earlier this year to take up a position with South Australia Cricket.
Sandle returns to the side with vast experience, having overseen six ICC men’s Cricket World Cup campaigns, including three World Cup Finals, along with the 2021 World Test Championship triumph in Southampton.
During his time with NZC he worked with three Black Caps head coaches: John Wright, Mike Hesson, and the incumbent, Gary Stead, as the team lifted itself from the bottom reaches of the ICC rankings to the top in all three formats.
The role has since changed from an administrative, logistical, and diplomatic position to include a more performance-based element, something NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said fitted comfortably into Sandle’s skillset.
“Mike’s been immersed in high performance sport for more than 20 years, initially with Taranaki Rugby, then the Blues franchise, followed by the Black Caps, before returning to Taranaki Rugby,” said Mr Weenink.
“We’re very happy with his understanding of the game and its demands on players, coaching staff, and selectors alike.
“There aren’t many people around with Mike’s mix of skills and we’re delighted to welcome him back.”
Sandle said he enjoyed his time with Taranaki Rugby and was grateful for the opportunity to work within a game, and province he loved.
“I want to thank the TRFU for all its support and encouragement,” he said. “I started my sport management career there in 2001 and to return as CEO was incredibly rewarding.
“Having said that, the decade I spent with NZC was unforgettable and the opportunity to work with Gary again and help our top cricketers across all three forms of the game was just too good to turn down.
“Returning to the Black Caps set-up is hugely exciting - I can’t wait to join up with them and help contribute to their success.”
Sandle will begin his new assignment with NZC once Taranaki has finished its current NPC campaign, with a view to joining up with the New Zealand side during their Test tour of India.