Take Eden Carson, for example.
Left to her own devices, the Otago spinner would have chucked the game in.
But her father, Tony Carson, "didn’t let me" and now she is on the payroll and, more importantly, the talent conveyor belt.
The 19-year-old picked up one of eight New Zealand Cricket development contracts.
She will not be nudging Bill Gates down a spot on the rich list any time soon. The contracts are worth only $7500 for the season.
But it is the implied opportunity that comes with her new status which has Carson so excited.
"I’m over the moon with it," she said.
"It gets my name more out there and I’ll get seen more."
Carson, who is studying veterinary nursing at Otago Polytechnic, hails from Gimmerburn in the Maniototo region and grew up active. She played hockey and rugby but cricket was No1.
"I got into cricket at a young age. My dad pushed me to play and then I got to St Hilda’s and Rosie [Neil Rosenberg] was really into his cricket and pushed girls to do their best and that really helped."
Carson contributed to two national secondary school title wins while at the school and has quickly cemented her spot in the Otago Sparks since making her debut in 2018-19.
She had a standout season in the twenty20 campaign and attracted plenty of attention with a five-wicket haul against Central Districts in a televised game.
"I felt like that was a big breakthrough for me in my career and I felt like that really did help get my name out there.
"Not many people take five wickets [in a T20 match]."
But cricket has not always gone so well.
"She recalls getting swatted for 20ish in one over during a game against Northern Districts and for a period she want to quit the game.
"I didn’t think I’d actually get this far with my cricket. But since this has happened I feel like I can go all the way with going to the White Ferns.
"My dad actually really pushed me to play because I wanted to quit in year 12 but he didn’t let me.
" I’m glad he didn’t let me quit.
"It is probably one of the biggest reasons while I’m at this level now."
New Zealand Cricket
