Hamilton physiotherapist Shane Derry, fitness trainer Jason Wheadon and cricket coach Alan Hunt have been assigned new roles to assist Northern Districts' elite players this year.

Derry has been appointed manager of the State Northern Knights. He has been the home physiotherapist for the Knights for the last three years and this season will have the additional duties of team manager.

He has had vast experience with many high profile sports teams including the Black Sox (New Zealand men's softball team), Chiefs Super 12 rugby franchise, the Waikato NPC rugby team, the Hamilton Marist Rugby Club and Waikato touch rugby.

Jason Wheadon is a Hamilton-based fitness trainer who has spent the previous four seasons with the Knights.

He has worked successfully with individuals and teams such as Leilani Rorani and the Hamilton Marist rugby team. His role as fitness trainer to the Knights is expected to bring organisation and professionalism in terms of quality fitness preparation, something highly valued by the coaching staff.

Alan Hunt has been appointed as the coach of Northern Districts A for the 2002/03 season.

Hunt played 65 games for Auckland between 1980/81 and 1992/93. He is a New Zealand Level 3 coach and in recent seasons has coached the Auckland A side. One of the attractions for Hunt is the opportunity to work with Knights coach Bruce Blair.

He is also looking forward to the challenge of developing a talented group of young players. With a large representation of Northern Districts players in the New Zealand team, Hunt will play a key role in preparing A team players for the transition to first-class cricket.

© CricInfo