The KNCB (Dutch Cricket Board) today announced its first professional playing contracts and player agreements (17 in all) for Dutch Cricket in the history of the game as the national team departed for its forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in the UAE.
Thanks to funding from ICC High Performance Programme the KNCB have awarded three full-time contracts (Category A) to team captain Peter Borren as well as Tom de Grooth and Eric Szwarczynski. County player agreements (Category B) have been accepted by county cricketers Ryan ten Doeschate and Alexei Kervezee, whilst the remainder of the squad have all signed part-time player agreements (Category C) due to their commitments elsewhere, either with jobs or emerging professional careers.
Commenting on the process, Chief Executive Richard Cox said: We have different categories of contracts, so that there are options and opportunities for those in careers, those playing county cricket in the UK, and those not established yet or emerging. The contracts are also designed to be flexible to allow some to progress full-time with their cricket and coaching, whilst others will be focused on their county commitments and careers in the Netherlands.
National Coach Peter Drinnen observed: Its another step forward in semi-professionalizing the squad, and in general the squad and I will benefit from full access to each other in training and preparation leading through to the World Cup.
Full-time contracted captain Peter Borren commented: We are looking forward to having more opportunity to devote time to the Netherlands team in a truly exciting 13 months for Dutch Cricket, whilst Daan van Bunge, who has opted for a part-time contract due to his intended career progressions outside of cricket, said: This was a much needed necessary step in view of the full programme. Also the Netherlands is now following other countries in professionalizing the set-up. This way competing at the highest possible level becomes a step closer as the core of the team improves its cricket.
The list of players is as follows -
Category A Full Contracts (3) Peter Borren, Tom de Grooth, Eric Szwarczynski.
Category B County Player Agreements (2) Ryan Ten Doeschate, Alexei Kervezee.
Category C Part Time Agreements (12) Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Daan van Bunge, Tim Gruijters, Mark Jonkman, Maurits Jonkman, Mohammed Kashif, Ruud Nijman, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar , Nick Statham, and Bas Zuiderent.
The contracts/agreements run through to December 2010, in which time it is hoped further opportunities will be offered to players to increase their professional status through to the World Cup in February 2011.
