Brandon Matzopoulos – Selected for New Zealand U19 World Cup Squad

East Coast Bays Cricket Club is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Brandon Matzopoulos, who has been selected for the New Zealand U19 squad to compete at the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia this January.

Brandon has been a valued member of East Coast Bays for several seasons, developing through the club’s youth pathways before progressing into senior cricket. A composed and technically gifted top-order batsman, Brandon has impressed coaches, teammates, and supporters alike with his ability to construct innings, remain calm under pressure, and consistently perform against strong opposition.

Over the past year, Brandon has enjoyed exceptional success. He captained both Westlake Boys High School 1st XI and the Auckland U17 side, leading the latter to victory at the 2025 National Championships. He has also represented Auckland U19, further demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest levels of youth cricket. Throughout this time, East Coast Bays has remained his home club — a place where he has continued to refine his skills and establish himself as a player of real promise.

Brandon’s selection for the national squad is a testament to years of dedication, disciplined training, and a genuine love of the game. Representing New Zealand has long been his dream, and being chosen to wear the silver fern is something he describes as “a massive honour and the highlight of my cricket journey so far.”

As he prepares to travel to Africa, Brandon is focused on contributing to the team’s campaign, embracing the challenges of international cricket, and making the most of this extraordinary opportunity.

Everyone at East Coast Bays — players, coaches, supporters, and the wider Bays community — is incredibly proud of Brandon. We look forward to cheering him on as he takes this exciting next step in his cricketing career.

Go well, Brandon — Bays are behind you all the way.