Source: Gerry Images for the ECB

England women’s cricket coaching to be restructured

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced that it will be appointing a new England Women’s Head Coach. The Head Coach role will replace the Head of England Women’s Performance position, currently occupied by Paul Shaw, who is stepping down.

Recruitment of the new England Women’s Head Coach will get underway next month, with a view to an appointment being made by the start of 2016.  Shaw will remain in his current post and continue to oversee the England Women’s Performance Squad until the end of the year.

ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, has praised Paul Shaw’s impact on England women’s cricket and explained the change in coaching direction: “The important contribution that Paul has made to the development of England women’s cricket over the last seven years is unquestionable.  When Paul was appointed to the new role of Head of England Women’s Performance in 2013, it was at a stage when professionalism of the England women’s team was imminent.  His strategic planning, long term vision and relationship management have been instrumental in guiding the programme through this transition.

“The women’s game is now fully professional and is in a different place to when Paul was appointed two and a half years ago.  The decision to move back to a more traditional coaching structure, led by one overarching head coach, ideally with first class or international playing or coaching experience, is what we believe is now needed to take the players to the next level in their development as professional cricketers.

“Paul has created a world class performance environment and culture for England women’s cricket, which will be vital heading into a hugely important 18 months for the team.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for all he has done to develop the programme and lay the foundations on which to build the new coaching structure.”

Paul Shaw said: “I have very much enjoyed the past two and a half years working with the England women’s team.

“My personal highlights have been the successful back-to-back Women’s Ashes campaigns, both in England and Australia, as well as leading a young England team to the 2014 ICC Women’s World T20 final in Bangladesh.

“The England women’s performance programme has evolved into a world class set-up over the past few years.  With this in mind, I believe it is now time to step aside and give someone else the opportunity to take the programme and the team onto the next level, as I look to take on my next challenge.

“I wish Charlotte and the team every success in what promises to be a very exciting couple of years ahead.”

England women’s captain, Charlotte Edwards, added: “I have absolutely loved working with Paul over the last few years – the support and guidance he has given me as captain has been brilliant.  A lot has changed within England women’s cricket in recent times, and Paul should take a huge amount of credit for how he has translated these changes into a world class performance environment for the players on the field.

“We are now all really looking forward to a big 2016, which includes tours to South Africa, the West Indies and Sri Lanka, the ICC Women’s World T20 and a home series against Pakistan, as we continue to build towards the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup here in England.  There’s a lot to look forward to.”

Paul Shaw was appointed to the role of Head of England Women’s Performance in June 2013, having been involved with the England women’s cricket pathway since 2008.  During his time with the team, he oversaw series victories against Pakistan, the West Indies, India, South Africa and New Zealand, and most memorably, back-to-back Women’s Ashes wins in 2013 and 2014.

The coaching restructure comes ahead of an important three years for the England women’s team, which includes three global ICC events, including the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England.

England women will next be in action in February 2016 when they will travel to South Africa to play a three match One-Day International series and three match Twenty20 International series.  The England women’s squad for this tour will be announced early next year.

Photo above shows Charlotte Edwards and the England team celebrating their Ashes win in 2013