Strengthening the structure of cricket at school and club level, and ensuring a natural pathway from one to the other will be the primary role of Otago Cricket's community cricket co-ordinator Geoff Rodden.

Rodden's appointment is one being replicated throughout New Zealand six major associations and is the direct result of a New Zealand Cricket initiative aimed at developing the game's infrastructure and, by way of forming a natural link between schools and clubs, retaining players.

His initial project will be initiating a pilot scheme with specific clubs and schools in Dunedin. A successful introduction will result in an expansion throughout Otago Cricket's region in future years.

A recently qualified New Zealand Cricket Level Three coach, Rodden has coached the Otago Under-19 and Under-14 boys' teams in recent years, and this year will coach the Otago Sparks senior representative women's side.

Rodden will work closely with Otago Cricket's development manager Craig Radford and MILO junior cricket development officer Keith Gardner. He will begin his duties on August 19.

© CricInfo