Central Districts Cricket is delighted to welcome a new but familiar face to the CDCA team.

CHAD LAW has been appointed as CD’s new central hub Performance and Pathways Coach, filling the Palmerston North-based role that became vacant when DEEPAK JOON was elevated to coach the Central Hinds.

Law is well known to many players and coaches across the CD network already, after years of involvement as a Horowhenua-Kāpiti senior representative player, and then coach of the side, as well as coaching Central Districts age-group teams in recent seasons.

Cricket — and sport in general — runs in the blood.

His father Chris represented Manawatū and, as a youngster at Palmerston North Boys’ High, Chad played in the 2006 Gillette Cup national finals against such names as Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Hamish Rutherford and Doug Bracewell.

Chad Law coached CD U19 to the 2022 national title | PHOTOSPORT

A talented all-round athlete who stands two metres tall, a series of concussions would ultimately curtail his own playing career, but his passion for coaching ensured he wasn’t lost to the game.

“Chad brings a long list of attributes to his latest role,” notes CD High Performance Manager, DAVE MEIRING.

“With a wealth of hands-on experience, Chad understands how our District Associations work, and he’ll bring a real appreciation for what the Districts and their players need in the way of coaching support.

“He’s also a person with plenty of mana in our region, respect that he has earned over a number of seasons as someone who puts people first.

“He’s a very empathetic, measured person. People quickly warm to him, and we’re extremely grateful to have his a person of his calibre join the Central Districts Cricket staff.”

Law has been a core contributor to cricket in Horowhenua-Kāpiti | HKCA

For Law, the new job represents a return to working in sport after having taken some time off to work as a builder for WBG, as well as a teacher aide at Waiopehu College. 

As part of his new role, he will also mentor this summer's Men’s Central Districts A and Men’s CD Under 19 teams, as Head Coach.

“I’ve always been involved in sport one way or another, apart from this winter when, for the first time in a long time, I took some time out to refresh myself mentally and do something different,” says Law.

“Through this opportunity with CD, I’ve come back keener than ever to get stuck in.

"CD’s a place I hold in high regard, so I feel very humbled, honoured and thrilled to be joining the organisation in a full-time capacity," he said.

“I’m really excited about it, looking forward to closely liaising with our District Associations and building on our relationships there to keep our pathway strong.”

Born in Taranaki, Law grew up in Ōtaki, and began playing cricket as a junior for Horowhenua-Kāpiti until his family moved to Palmerston North just before he started high school.

He began playing senior rep cricket in Manawatū while still at Palmerston North Boys’ High, before moving back to base himself in Ōhau, near Levin in Horowhenua-Kāpiti where he lives with his wife Hayley and their four children. 

Law has been interested and active in coaching since he was at high school.

“Injuries and concussions would affect me from time to time, but whenever I was unable to play, I would turn to coaching — and always enjoyed it,” he says.

“The older I got, the less playing I did, and the more coaching!”

By his late 20s, he was Horowhenua-Kāpiti Cricket Association’s community and pathways co-ordinator, as well as the senior rep coach and a top order batter.

“Then when I was 33, I got another hit on the head while I was batting, and that concussion really spelt the end of me playing.

“I hadn’t been planning to hang up the bat at that stage, but I feel very lucky in that I was able to continue being involved in the changing room as a coach, being involved with the team so I didn’t lose those close connections.

“A lot of players when they finish, that is the part that they really struggle with.”

The HK Bears with Law (back row, centre) | HKCA

He says being offered personal development opportunities as a CD age-group coach also helped to consolidate his desire to coach full-time.

CD U19 men won the NZC national tournament under his watch, in the 2021/22 season.

“Then CDCA and Horowhenua-Kāpiti joined forces to put me through the year-long NZC Performance Coaching Course in 2022, which was the first annual intake and an awesome opportunity.

“It was support that I was very grateful for and I really want to repay that investment now.

“And to be honest, I have never pictured myself coaching anywhere other than in CD.”

Article added: Wednesday 16 October 2024