- By Regan Harrison, AUT Journalism Student
Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club (HPCC) is celebrating a major milestone with two of its own, Dale Phillips and Lachie Stackpole, earning domestic contracts with the Auckland Aces for the 2025-26 season.
It’s a feat not achieved at the club since the days of Colin Munro and Kyle Mills.
Both Phillips and Stackpole are homegrown talents, having come through the HPCC ranks from junior grades.
Their selection marks a full-circle moment for the club and is a clear sign of the strength and success of its player development pathway.
HPCC general manager Francis Scordino says it’s a proud moment for the club.
“It’s awesome for us. Both Lachie and Dale started at the club as midgets, so to now see them earning Aces contracts is not just a reward for their hard work, but also for the systems and people that have supported them since they were kids.”
Stackpole, 20, made his Aces debut last season, but missed out on a contract.
This time, he’s been rewarded with a full-time domestic deal.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” he says. “It’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time.
“Howick Pakuranga [Cricket Club] has played a huge role in getting me here. I’ve been with the club since I was five.”
A former New Zealand under-19 World Cup representative, Stackpole says his time in youth cricket and HPCC’s year-round training support, including off-season nets, have been key to his rise.
He credits his parents, as well as coaches like Colin Munro and Johnny Bassett-Graham, for guiding his development.
For Phillips, it’s a homecoming. The former Otago Volts player returns to Auckland with his young family after several seasons in Dunedin and finally gets the chance to represent the Aces, the team he grew up aspiring to play for.
“Coming back to Auckland and HPCC just made sense,” Phillips says.
“I played all my club cricket there growing up. It’s great to be around the club again.”
Now 27, Phillips is eager to take on a leadership role in the Aces’ setup.
“I want to help the younger guys and add value where I can,” he says.
“We’ve got a young group, and I’m keen to be part of something special this season.”
The double signing caps off several strong years of rebuilding for HPCC.
After a period of transition, including relegation and player retirements, the men’s squad is now back in the top-tier two-day competition and boasts new premier coach Louis Delport, who recently retired from the Aces.
Scordino says Phillips’ and Stackpole’s success sends a clear message to junior players coming through.
“There’s a visible pathway now. Young players can see that if they stick with the club, work hard, and commit, they can make it to the top.”
With Phillips returning home and Stackpole stepping into a full-time role, HPCC’s proud legacy of producing top-tier talent is alive and well, and the next generation is already watching.
