The selection of Otago cricket coach Mike Hesson for SPARC's Coach Accelerator Programme has been welcomed by Otago Cricket and New Zealand Cricket.

Otago Cricket Chief Executive Ross Dykes said Hesson fully deserved the opportunity to develop his coaching potential.

"As coach of the State Otago Volts, Mike's been a fantastic asset with the team reaching five out of six one-day finals in the past three years, and Otago increasing its number of Blackcaps from one to six," said Dykes. "He's also had a great introduction to international success, coaching the New Zealand A team this year,"

"I have no doubt that his diligence and man-management skills have resulted in this wonderful opportunity to work with such an elite group and develop his skills to world class level."

NZC's General Manager Cricket, Geoff Allott, said Hesson was one of a number of talented coaches working in the New Zealand domestic scene.

"We're confident Mike will get huge benefit from SPARC's programme," he said. "It's an outstanding initiative and will complement the work that NZC is doing to continue raising the standard of cricket coaching in New Zealand."

"We look forward to more of our elite level coaches taking up this opportunity in the future - strengthening our coaching force is an important step towards our goal of building cricket teams that can compete at the highest levels on the world stage."