WiNS-Women iN Sports and Science: Looking into the women’s cricket club culture in New Zealand and lessons for Japan women’s cricket

Women’s cricket in New Zealand has developed within a distinctive club culture characterized by inclusive values, strong community connections, and a facilitative approach to coaching. This commentary examines the cultural features of women’s cricket clubs in New Zealand and explores lessons for the development of women’s cricket in Japan through a comparative perspective. Particular attention is given to coaching communication, player-centred environments, and the role of club culture in supporting players’ continuity of participation (player retention). In New Zealand, coaches are commonly positioned not as authoritative instructors but as communicators who facilitate dialogue, mutual understanding, and relationship-building. These practices contribute to positive sporting experiences and sustained participation at the club level. In contrast, women’s cricket in Japan faces challenges related to participation continuity (low player retention) and coach-centred structures. By highlighting key cultural differences between the two contexts, this paper discusses how principles observed in New Zealand-particularly regarding communication and club-based support-may provide valuable insights for Japan. Rather than advocating direct adoption of international models, the paper emphasizes the importance of culturally informed adaptation, ensuring that practices are aligned with the social and cultural context of Japanese women’s cricket.