Much-travelled Kiwi cricket personality John Bracewell is the Northern Districts team's new head coach.

The Tauranga Boys' College educated former Blackcaps mentor, whose career with the national team ended under a cloud in November 2008, has gone on to forge a highly respected coaching career in the game worldwide, including stints with Auckland, Gloucestershire and the Irish national team.

His appointment with ND, guiding the team for the Plunket Shield first class and Ford Trophy 50-over competitions, is something of a coup for the association.

'John comes with a huge level of varied coaching experience from all across the world,” says Northern Districts CEO Ben MacCormack.

'He also feels connected to our philosophy of developing future Blackcaps.

'To have secured the services of someone of John's calibre speaks volumes for the organisation and the culture that has been built here for many years.”

As a player, he was an integral part of the New Zealand team of the 1980s, one of the country's most successful periods.

His 6 for 32 which lead the kiwis to a test win over Australia in Auckland in 1986 was a career highlight.

Most of his title-winning success as a coach has come at domestic level with Gloucestershire in English one-day competitions, though he also guided the Blackcaps to a first ever Chappell-Hadlee Trophy win over Australia in 2007, and semi-finals at T20 and ODI world cups.

His time as Blackcaps coach came to an abrupt end prior to his contract expiry in 2008 amid concerns over his selection policies, as the team slipped to eighth in the test rankings.

He endured a difficult relationship at times with the media and public though generally kept the respect of the players.

He has wasted no time in getting his feet under the table at Northern Districts HQ in Hamilton.

'I spent some time with the ND lads over the summer working with coaches,” he says, 'and was very impressed with the athletic presentation of the players and forward thinking nature of the administration and support staff.”

'I'm really excited to be working with this organisation.”

Graeme Aldridge and Matthew Horne will continue as specialist coaches in the ND men's setup, and Gareth Hopkins as the Knights T20 coach.