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Ben Sawyer appointed New Zealand Women's head coach
Follow UsThe 44-year-old, who worked under former Australia Women head coach Matthew Mott, has signed a two-year contract
Australia Women's former assistant coach Ben Sawyer has been confirmed as the new head coach of the White Ferns. The 44-year-old, who worked under former Australia Women head coach Matthew Mott, has signed a two-year contract.
Sawyer's first assignment will be the Commonwealth Games at the end of July followed by a tour of West Indies. He replaces Bob Carter, who stepped down from the position after New Zealand failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup on home soil earlier this year.
"I can't wait to get stuck in. I see a lot of potential in this White Ferns group and I feel really optimistic about helping to untap that potential, so they can take their cricket to the next level. It's certainly going to be a learning process as I get to know the players and they get to know me, and my cricket philosophies and coaching style," said Sawyer.
"If you get the players making a priority of the processes and concentrating on the preparation and routines that improve and develop performance, then the outcomes tend to look after themselves. That’s where consistency of performance comes from, and that’s what we’re seeking.”
Sawyer was also the head coach of Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and has also worked with Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred. He will now have to work with a team that's going through a transitional phase. Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu haven't been offered new contracts, and the former has already announced her retirement from international cricket.
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said: We’re really looking forward to working with Ben and receiving the benefit of his experience. He’s been a key figure in the ongoing success of the Australian women’s team and we hope we can tap into that bank of experience and grow together as a team.
“The upcoming Commonwealth Games campaign in Birmingham and the tour to West Indies will be really helpful in that regard - there’s nothing like away tours for bringing a group together and sharing a common purpose.”
(Image credit: White Ferns)