Experienced team to oversee the World Cup in New Zealand

Dawson, a director of NZC and the NZOC, will chair a board comprising herself, former World Masters Games chief executive Jennah Wootten, Westpac Stadium Trust chief executive Shane Harmon, NZC chair Greg Barclay, and NZC chief executive David White.

Wootten was GM Destination at Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development and Manager of Major Events at Auckland City Council, and was named the New Zealand Event Professional of the Year in 2017. She is currently GM Partnerships and Communication at Sport NZ.

Harmon, CEO of the Westpac Stadium Trust since 2013, is a current director of Netball New Zealand, having previously acted as GM Marketing and Communications of Rugby World Cup 2011. He was also Head of Marketing for the 2003 tournament in Australia.

Barclay and White were heavily involved in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018.

Nelson brings significant major event experience to her role, having previously been GM New Zealand for the Rugby League World Cup 2017, and Director of Marketing and Communications for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and having held senior Marketing and Editorial roles with London 2012. She will begin her CEO duties fulltime later this month after seeing out current commitments on the inaugural Oceania Cup and Great Britain Lions Rugby League Series.

Nelson said it was a significant time for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021, as elite women’s sport was riding a wave of momentum around the world, growing in profile and building a strong fanbase. “This tournament is well positioned to take women’s cricket to the next level – by showcasing the world’s best to new audiences here in New Zealand and around the world.

“I’m excited to be part of this event, which we hope will provide a global platform for the women’s game and inspire a new generation of girls and boys to give it a go.

“With this event, alongside the International Working Group on Women in Sport and Women’s Rugby World Cup, New Zealand will have the chance to make its mark as a global leader in women’s sport.”

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 will be the game’s fourth full World Cup to be hosted or jointly hosted in New Zealand, following the two men’s tournaments in 1992 and 2015, and the women’s event in 2000 – which was won by the WHITE FERNS.

It will run from 30 January to 20 February 2021, comprising 31 matches including semi-finals and a final – all of which will be televised live.

Dawson said it was a great privilege for New Zealand to be entrusted with such a significant and noteworthy tournament. “This a fantastic event with a truly global reach and will bring together in New Zealand some of the best athletes in the world,” she said.

“It’s a real growth opportunity and we aim to do the International Cricket Council and world cricket in general, proud.”