Opinion: What has gone wrong for Otago since that 2012/13 HRV Cup Final?

Otis Murray discusses what has gone wrong for Otago over the past 12 years.

That's the clear question that seems no one has any answers to at the OCA (Otago Cricket Association).

There is a relatively big turnover of staff every year, with about 40+ general staff members coming and going throughout the last decade. Mike Coggan said in an interview with the ODT, “Our workforce includes several short to medium fixed-term contracts across community and performance cricket.” and "Additionally, many of our team members are young and early in their careers, and it’s natural for young professionals to explore new opportunities and experiences.” However, some beg to differ with the man in charge.

Some people contacted by the ODT felt Coggan was more focused on the bottom line than everyone involved. One source even described this as a “trail of destruction” alongside "He’s been there a long time and perhaps it’s time for a bit of a change there as well." 

It has been 10 years since he entered the job after Ross Dykes retired, with pressure mounting from within and now outside is it time he takes a long look in the mirror about his current position.

Player turnover has also been another massive issue within, as just this season Dean Foxcroft, Leo Carter, and Dale Phillips all left for another Association.

While Dean Foxcroft made it seem as if he decided to develop as a cricketer in Hawke’s Bay, Coggan has suggested he was shoved out the door.

"In professional sport, players will always explore opportunities that they feel are best for their careers, and that’s part of the landscape we operate in," he said.

"While Foxcroft had expressed a commitment to staying in Otago, it became clear that our team values and direction weren’t fully aligned, and that’s OK.

"We’re building a culture based on honesty, accountability, and shared purpose, and we’re very confident and excited in the new players that will come into our group.

"When someone chooses a different path, we respect that. But we also back the environment we’re creating here and the people who want to be part of it."

Jack Boyle, Troy Johnson, and Danru Ferns have joined from other associations to ensure not all one-way traffic, but these questions have arisen from the Rob Walter days.

Nathan Smith, Neil Wagner, Jimmy Neesham, and Dean Foxcroft, all with either Blackcaps experience before or after leaving the association, have thrived. 

Constant changes within the men’s setup created friction alongside a Women’s setup that keeps winning for fun, needs OCA to think.

The OCA needs to settle on someone whose project will align with what they want to do. Play an aggressive style of cricket, ensuring that talent is retained alongside promoting youth. Noffke looked like the man to lead this; however, becoming the Pakistan bowling coach comes with much more repertoire and dough than coaching the Volts.

Recruitment toward the association isn’t the issue; it’s retention. With a young core, a youthful captain, and experience in their bowling department, maybe 2026 is the year of blue and gold.