The first round of 2025/26 HEARTS contracts have been announced and the list is dominated by some fresh and talented new faces.

With some of last season’s players either retiring or taking up opportunities with other Major Associations, five spots have been filled up with newly contracted players.

Eve Meachen, Jess Smith, Taila Hurley, Anika Tauwhare (pictured) and Ayaan Lambat all join the contract list and provide unique skills as Auckland further utilises the depth in its pathway system.

ACA General Manager Performance and Talent Evan Jones points to this depth as the group gears up for the season ahead. “We’re thrilled to announce this contracted HEARTS group alongside our strong contingent of WHITE FERNS players.

“It’s a great mix of experienced domestic players alongside our five newly contracted players. It’s also exciting to see some of our talented players offered contracts with other Major Associations, which shows the depth of talent we are producing in the Auckland region.

“We wish them well for the season ahead,” says Jones.

Tauwhare’s selection represents a significant milestone for Suburbs New Lynn Cricket, with one of their female Premier players earning a domestic contract for the first time. The achievement is all the more remarkable given the club’s Premier Women’s team has only been in existence for four seasons, and Tauwhare has only been playing cricket for six years.

The HEARTS performed strongly in the 2024/25 season without taking home any silverware. They were beaten finalists in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, suffering a heartbreaking loss in the final as Otago pulled off a miraculous comeback in the final 10 overs.

Among the players not included on this year’s list are Saachi Shahri, who announced her retirement from professional cricket last month. Anika Todd (Otago), Kate Irwin (Canterbury), Sophie Court (Northern Districts) and Cate Pedersen (Central Districts) have made the move to other Major Associations for the 2025/26 season.

The 13^th and final contracted player’s name will be released in the coming weeks while fixtures for the domestic women’s 2025/26 season are due to be announced shortly.

Auckland HEARTS 2025/26 Contracts – First Round
 

*Denotes first contract

Article added: Friday 08 August 2025