Eighty of New Zealand's first-class cricketers have joined up with a Players' Association which will change the relationship of their future dealings with New Zealand Cricket.

Given the increased professionalisation of sport such a move was inevitable. When added to the growing mobilisation of players' movements around the world and the birth of an International Players' Association, there was no chance New Zealand was going to miss out.

Heading the New Zealand association as its executive manager is Mt Albert Grammar School director of sport, Heath Mills, 29, who is the brother of CLEAR Black Cap Kyle Mills.

Having done some management work for players in the past, Mills has been involved from the outset of the formation of the association.

"I have known for some time that players have wanted to have a body to address issues. It was only ever going to be successful if everyone was unified and it had the support of all players," Mills said.

There were times when dealing with issues in a group was more practical than individually, he said.

So far 80 players have agreed to membership of the association and it is only players who are playing in England or the Netherlands, and haven't been contactable, who have not joined yet.

"I haven't had a negative response from anyone I have approached," he said.

Mills said there was no simmering discontent among players about their situation but it was felt that benefits were accruing to players in other sports around the world and the Rugby Players' Association in New Zealand had been successful.

In setting the group up, Mills said he had tapped into the knowledge of the head of the Australian Players' Association, former Test off spinner Tim May and he had been especially helpful.

"I have also spoken with Martin Snedden (NZC's incoming chief executive) and he has been very positive and he welcomed it," he said.

No formal meetings have been held with NZC yet but Mills said the board was keen to develop a working relationship with NZC. It had some objectives and players had a lot of ideas they were keen to put to NZC.

"The players are certainly very keen to be represented and to contribute to the development of New Zealand's cricket," he said.

Mills said the association was keen to eventually involve ex first-class players and to get those people involved in the game again.

The prospect of superannuation schemes was the sort of thing that could be looked at over a longer period of time.

Each of the major associations has a representative on the association's board. They are: Dion Nash (Auckland), Simon Doull (Northern Districts), Glen Sulzberger (Central Districts), Roger Twose (Wellington), Geoff Allott (Canterbury) and Karl O'Dowda (Otago).

Mills has a background of club cricket play in Auckland. He has a degree in physical education and an interest in sports management and administration.

His work at Mt Albert Grammar involves working with soccer identity Kevin Fallon, swimmer Trent Bray and Auckland cricket coach Tony Sail in the school's sports academies.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd