The Edinburgh franchise will enter the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) under the ownership of a New Zealand consortium led by former New Zealand internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum, bringing international experience and high-performance expertise to the Scottish-based team.

The ownership group brings significant international experience to the competition. Mills, a former New Zealand fast bowler, reached No.1 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings during his playing career, while McCullum is a former Black Caps who has since built an extensive reputation as a high-performance cricket coach.

The consortium is working in collaboration with Otago Cricket, one of New Zealand’s six major domestic cricket associations and the governing body for the game in the lower half of the South Island. Otago Cricket is widely recognised for its structured high-performance systems and strong community engagement model, both of which are central to the Edinburgh franchise’s long-term vision.

The partnership is underpinned by a historical and cultural connection between Edinburgh and Otago. The city of Dunedin, one of Otago Cricket’s key districts, takes its name from the Gaelic Dùn Èideann, the traditional Gaelic name for Edinburgh. This shared heritage forms a symbolic link between the two regions as the franchise prepares to compete on the European stage.

The Edinburgh franchise will aim to align Otago Cricket’s development-focused approach with Cricket Scotland’s objectives, creating a pathway that supports local talent while building a competitive professional team. The collaboration is intended to balance performance at the elite level with sustainable growth for the game in Scotland.

With experienced leadership at ownership level and a strong institutional partner in Otago Cricket, the Edinburgh franchise is set to play a key role in the ETPL’s inaugural season.