Numbers of junior cricketers in New Zealand have reached record levels over the past year.

A total of 63,978 juniors are playing, including more than 12,000 girls.

This equates to a one percent increase in total numbers playing cricket. More than 87,000 play cricket regularly in New Zealand, but the adult playing numbers have dropped by seven percent.

New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid said: "Not every Association is on a growth plan, however, and the Development Programme currently being introduced will play an important role in promoting and encouraging greater participation at all levels of the game."

Reid said a sponsorship boost from Milo had allowed a national development plan to become a reality.

National development manager Alec Astle devised the plan.

"Initially focused on the primary level, the programme which is designed to benefit grassroots cricket, has become a reality."

In Northern Districts, Auckland, Canterbury and Otago, Milo summer squads have been set up as a network of cricket development personnel responsible for delivering a number of recruitment and retention strategies.

Meanwhile the introduction of the national Milo Cup and Shield tournaments for primary and intermediate boys and girls proved very popular and are expected to grow this summer.

Reid reported that on the coaching front mentor programmes were being introduced around the country with promising and elite players have been paired with a suitable mentor coach in their region.

"Many Level I and Level II coaches were certificated during the season. There is now a large base of active coaches operating throughout the country and this is heartening.

"However, with junior numbers growing there is a large demand nationally for coaching expertise - the future of our game is dependent on the volunteer coach," Reid said.

© CricInfo