Warwickshire CCC’s Performance Manager of women’s & girls’ cricket, Laura MacLeod, has been appointed as the first Director of Women’s Cricket by the newly formed West Midlands Women’s Cricket Limited (WMWC).
WMWC is formed of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire and is one of eight regional hubs developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of a new structure to develop more England women’s cricketers.
WMWC is formed of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire and is one of eight regional hubs developed by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of a new structure for elite women’s domestic cricket.
Laura has done an excellent job in developing women’s and girls’ cricket in Warwickshire over the last two years, which culminated in our first trophy last summer.It’s fantastic that she can now take forward the most talented players from across the region into the new team and development hub.
Paul Farbrace
Underneath the senior squad, a pathway programme will be devised with the five counties that includes an academy and Emerging Players Programmes.
Paul Farbrace, Sport Director at Warwickshire CCC, said: “Laura has done an excellent job in developing women’s and girls’ cricket in Warwickshire over the last two years, which culminated in our first trophy last summer.
“It’s fantastic that she can now take forward the most talented players from across the region into the new team and development hub, which is a very exciting development for the women’s game.
“Despite the new regional structure, Warwickshire CCC is more committed than ever before to producing more women’s and girls’ cricketers who can play for England and teams who can challenge for trophies.
“As part of our new structure, I will oversee the senior women’s team as we enter the 2020 season and our defence of the Vitality Women’s County T20. Paul Greetham will now lead the boy’s and girls’ pathways in recognition of the great work that he has done in graduating academy members to the men’s senior ranks in recent years.”
The West Midlands senior squad will be formed through the 2020 women’s county season with MacLeod, who will be in position from 3 February, also responsible for the appointment of seven support staff, including the Head Coach, Talent Manager and Physiotherapist.
Laura MacLeod said: “The new regional structure creates a clear pathway from county age group cricket to the professional game and I’m very excited to be given this opportunity to support our talented women’s and girls’ cricketers on their journey towards the professional game.
“Having worked within the county game over the last 18 months and supported team development for Birmingham Phoenix, there are many talented women’s and girls’ cricketers in the West Midlands who have fantastic careers ahead of them. These players have the opportunity to be part of a very competitive squad to drive our senior team forward in the new competitions.”
