Presidencies of national sports bodies were made for people just like New Zealand Cricket's president for the summer of 2000/01 Northern Districts' Dave Hoskin.

The man elected to be what he described as "the titular head of New Zealand Cricket (NZC)" has a strong playing background in his region, and is recognised as a tireless worker for the cause as an administrator.

As a player the retired accountant was in the first Northern Districts (ND) side to contest the Plunket Shield, as the domestic season's major prize used to be known. He has seen the region prosper to the point where it has become an equal partner with those traditional associations who fought so long to deny it the status to which it was entitled.

More than that, ND is a significant nursery for the game here with a junior development programme the envy of all associated with the game.

"It was a thrill beyond all others to be asked to be the figurehead of the sport in your nation, after 47 years as a player then an administrator," he said.

Those years as a player included representing Hamilton as a primary schoolboy, Auckland at Brabin Cup level then Hamilton, Waikato and Northern Districts as a college schoolboy.

Individual highlights included taking 4-56 against the touring West Indians of the summer of 1955/56, including 2-0 in his first over.

Then against Ian Craig's Australians of the 1959/60 season he took six wickets in an innings, including Craig, Len Maddocks, Keith Slater and Johnnie Martin.

When ND was admitted to the 1956/57 Plunket Shield competition, it managed first innings points in its first game but then waited two seasons before claiming its first victory.

"We were made to realise how inadequate we were. But we built on that. We had the nucleus of a team with no stars," he said.

Hoskin said he would have loved to have represented New Zealand but realised he had been not quite good enough.

Casting aside any notions of parochialism would be no problem for him and he is looking to make himself as well known around the country as possible, starting with the CricInfo Women's World Cup tomorrow and the major schools' championships in December.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of watching ND cricket develop has been the way the player and coaching base has developed over the last 15-20 years.

By its nature, ND has always had a special spirit to its play. Having to come together from such a far flung area meant there was a natural friendliness which helped forge the side's character. "The production of players out of Northland has been especially notable. Some of the young players are coming out of there having already played tough cricket and are at a stage where it takes other players a number of years to adapt.

"The Academy in Hamilton has produced several good players and is going extremely well. Pat Malcon, and Alan Whimp before him, have done a great job," he said.

The movement of players from ND to seek opportunities with other associations has been pronounced but they had gone with ND's blessing. Especially effective had been the production of wicket-keepers and left-arm spin bowlers of whom Daniel Vettori was the shining example.

The success of the scheme was not accidental and the advance had only come by putting in place the proper structures and keeping a cap on the desires of people to spend money when it wasn't there.

WestpacTrust Park's development in Hamilton was another delight.

"Under Ian McKendry and Doug Strachan we have had some of the best pitches we've ever had. Steve Waugh told us after the Third Test last year that it was one of the best batting wickets he had played on in his life," he said.

Cricket has been a passion for Hoskin. He's travelled the world to watch the game, including two World Cups in England and that of 1992 in Australia and New Zealand and he is looking to be in South Africa in 2003.

"I love the game and it is something that only those who have been around the game for a long time can understand," he said.

It's no surprise that he is upset at the match-fixing scandal that has broken out this year. He hopes the enquiries under way will clear people like Martin Crowe so that it doesn't besmirch the game as it has in the sub-continent and Africa.

"I just hope it gets cleaned up so that we can get on and play this wonderful game," he said.

© CricInfo