Cricket: Bay boss quits for island challenge

Bay of Plenty Cricket cricketing manager Mark Webb is leaving his post after eight years to take up the role of general manager of Samoan Cricket.

It is a huge change for Webb, who decided to apply for the job advertised on the ICC website after being encouraged by New Zealand Cricket insiders.

"I got a phone call saying they wanted to do a phone interview with me, so I did that in the car on the first day of the Hawke Cup game against Hamilton, and then they phoned me back on the Tuesday and offered me the role," said Webb.

The news brought conflicting emotions to the Webb household.

"I went and told my wife and she congratulated me and burst into tears. We've got a young grandson and things like that which will make it difficult, but our daughters were keen for us to go - so they could visit."

With two sons working overseas and daughters who have finished secondary school, Webb said it was a perfect time to make a change.

The former policeman and real estate manager arrives in Samoa tomorrow to start work the following day alongside five staff supplemented periodically by volunteers from New Zealand and Australia.

The contract is for two years, but Webb said Samoan Cricket was looking to the long term in an attempt to progress towards becoming associated - rather than affiliated - members of the ICC.

That process will include co-ordinating an increased volunteer base and organising various, sustainable competitions and junior programmes.

He will have a two-week period with the outgoing general manager before taking over the reins in time for the new season beginning in April.

"From what I've heard there's a lot of raw talent [in Samoa], they all play kilikiti so they can all bat and bowl and catch, so it's just about giving them that cricket structure."