Maintaining Bay of Plenty Cricket's success will be a high priority for new senior men's coach Graeme Aldridge.

Recognised as one of Northern Districts' best all-rounders, Graeme's career is lined with achievements – something the recently-retired professional player is hoping to repeat in his new role as coach for the 2015/16 season.

New Bay of Plenty men's cricket coach Graeme Aldridge in action during his playing days. Photo: File.

'It is a privilege to be appointed Bay of Plenty Men's coach,” says Graeme. 'I look forward to working hard with the team to get the results we deserve.”

Known to most simply as G, Graeme has compiled a record in ND Cricket unlikely to be beaten.

Longevity was a feature of the ND all-rounder's career, starting back in the 1998/99 season and finishing when he announced his retirement from playing duties, at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui in early April this year.

Graeme ended his long career as the most prolific wicket-taker in Northern Knights history with 364 wickets. The right-armer has also taken the most wickets in the NZ Cricket Domestic one-day game, with 185 bowling scalps to his name.

More than 3000 runs in NZ Cricket first class, one-day and T20 encounters tells the tale of an all-rounder who could win matches with both bat and ball.

Graeme also played for the Black Caps' when he was selected for the tour of Zimbabwe in 2011, playing two ODI's and one T20 match for his country.

Bay of Plenty Cricket chief executive Paul Read says he is delighted with the appointment.

'Graeme will bring a huge amount of experience and player management skills to the role,” says Paul.

'His professional success and personal rapport with senior players will be a huge asset for the team this season.”

Graeme has also secured a number of coaching roles, with ND Cricket complementing his work with the Senior Men's team.

He will be responsible for ND bowling roles at the development and Knights level, as well as some specific high-performance coaching work in the Bay of Plenty region.

Northern Districts chief executive Peter Roach says he see the roles complementing each other well.

'Especially in the Bay of Plenty,” says Peter.

'While they were all advertised separately, having someone of Graeme's quality giving consistent messages and advice to a large group of male and female players, across all ages in the region, is clearly a positive.”