Mark O'Leary appointed Western Storm head coach for remainder of 2020 season

The Cardiff MCCU head coach was Storm’s bowling coach in 2019 as Heather Knight’s side won the final edition of the Kia Super League

Mark O’Leary has been appointed interim head coach of the Western Storm regional hub for the remainder of the 2020 season.

The Cardiff MCCU head coach was Storm’s bowling coach in 2019 as Heather Knight’s side won the final edition of the Kia Super League, under the guidance of Trevor Griffin, the new head coach of the London and East Sunrisers regional centre.

O’Leary’s main role – as head coach of Cardiff MCCU at Cardiff Metropolitan University – consists of three universities, also including Cardiff University and University of South Wales. For the next few months, however, he will lead a hub incorporating Somerset, Gloucestershire, Glamorgan, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Cricket Wales and other parts of the region.

In June, Danielle Gibson, Fi Morris and Sophie Luff were signed to the region on retainer contracts, which will become domestic professional deals in October.

“It’s fantastic to be involved at Western Storm again,” said O’Leary. “I was delighted to be involved last year everyone was so accepting and welcoming, and the players were always willing to learn and develop. To have the call to ask would I be interested in leading the campaign, it’s an honour to be asked .

“My personal philosophy is that it’s all about the player, and as long as they develop and enjoy themselves, that’s the most important thing.”

“Whatever the rest of the season looks like, it’s a really exciting period for the Western Storm and women’s cricket in this country. Lisa Pagett has been the driving force behind the progress we are making, along with the counties and cricket boards involved, and we are keen to get going and show everyone what we are about.”

Pagett, who is the hub’s regional director of cricket, added: “We are really fortunate to have somebody of Mark’s calibre and experience leading Western Storm over the next couple of months, Mark was a key part of the coaching team in the 2019 KSL campaign and has a great understanding of the women’s cricket horizon.

“I have no doubt that Mark will bring great energy and experience into the squad for this summer and we are really grateful to Cardiff Metropolitan University for supporting Mark in joining us for this period.

“We will be looking to put a more permanent plan in place for Western Storm for the autumn onwards with two exciting new roles being advertised shortly, but I am thrilled that it is Mark who will be leading Western Storm over the next few months as we move into a new chapter.”

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