Illawarra, Southern and ACT Mega Region Coach Newsletter Meet the Team: Stephen Davies - Coaching & Talent Specialist Illawarra Southern Zone & ACT Mega Region

Steve is completing the Level 3 High Performance Coaching Course.

Steve is the current ACT NSW Country U-15 Female Head Coach and one of the assistant coaches with WBBL Team. Prior to being appointed the new Coaching & Talent Specialist Steve was the head coach of both the Male & Female NSW Academies for the Illawarra. Steve has a strong link with NSW Country Cricket, Female Cricket, working with all level of players.

Steve will oversee the following team of NSW Coaches and coaching programs along with coach education and talent identification throughout the mega region NSW Zone Academy Coach – ACT / Southern Zone Michael O’Rourke

Level 3 Coach UK, Level 2 Representative Coach

Michael is a passionate and highly experience coach who spent 12 years as a professional player and coach with Lancashire before returning to Australia to Coach Queanbeyan and then into NSW Academy programs. Michael is based in Canberra where he also runs the Canberra Comets Emerging Player Programs. Michael’s knowledge & skills are a perfect link for our pathway players entering professional cricket. NSW Zone Academy Coach - Illawarra Vacant – Please get in contact with expressions of interest

NSW Regional Coach – Illawarra 13-14yrs Kyle Connor

Level 1 Community Coach, Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education

Kyle is a long time representative player representing both Illawarra & Western. Kyle has worked in the Illawarra Academy as a specialist spin bowling coach before moving into a more diverse role as assistant coach where he brings a smart cricket brain to the Academy. Kyle has enjoyed success in the school coaching space winning the PSSA State Championships in 2016- 17. Kyle is a great link for our young emerging cricketers transitioning from school to academy squads and representative cricket.

NSW Regional Coach – Illawarra 15-16yrs Mitch Calder

Level 2 Representative Coach, ESSA Accreditation Exercise Physiologist – B.Sc (Ex.Sc), M.ClinEx.Phys

Mitch brings a sports science background to the team which aligns with his philosophy of developing holistic cricketers and the use of biomechanics to fine tune cricketer’s skills. Mitch is also an Illawarra representative cricketer with leadership experience as well as premier cricket experience in Darwin. Mitch is extremely motivated and well organised coach who will contribute strongly to NSW coaching philosophies.

NSW Regional Coach – South Coast & Shoalhaven Phil Wells

Level 2 Representative Coach

Phil has extensive experience at NSW 2nd 11 and Sydney 1st grade level with 20 1st grade centuries and nearly 10,000 1st grade runs to his name. Phil will bring a modern approach to the coaching team along with a passion to develop young cricketers and help prepare them for the transition to Sydney NSW Regional Coach – Highlands & Goulburn Vacant – Please get in contact with expressions of interest

NSW Regional Coach – Far South Coast & Monaro Ross Keller

Level 2 Representative Coach, Applied Science (Clinical Myotherapy)

Ross a person who is method focused and values driven with a mix of skills that are unique and highly sought after. As well as running a successful Clinical Myotherapy Practice in Merimbula, he comes from a high performance sporting background, as a previous member of the Telstra Dolphins National Swim program and from his playing days in the Victorian Football League. He has also worked in elite athlete mentoring across various sports. He has a good understanding of the game and the types of skills Cricket NSW are seeking in their high level pathway players. NSW Female Academy Illawarra – head coach Vacant – Please get in contact with expressions of interest NSW Female Academy Illawarra – assistant coach Stef Daffara

Level 2 Representative Coach, Studying Bachelor of Physical & Health education at Wollongong University

Stef brings a wealth of playing knowledge to the coaching team as a former academy player who has represented Australia as an under age player earning professional contracts with the NSW Breakers, Sydney Thunder and Tasmanian Roar. Stef is combining her playing commitments with passing on her knowledge to the next generation of young female cricketers

NSW Female Academy ACT/Southern – head coach Nicola Browne

High Performance Level 3 Coach, Development Leader ACT & Southern NSW

Nicola is a former international cricketer claiming 136 wickets for New Zealand. Nicola was a fast bowler who brings an international flavour to the Academy programs. Nicola’s expertise & experience is the perfect link in the pathways for young female cricketers with ambition NSW Female Academy ACT/Southern – assistant coach Michael Minns

Level 2 Representative Coach, Game development manager ACT Northern & Districts, Masters of High Performance Sport (University of Canberra)

Michael is an established cricketer in the Canberra premier cricket competition. He has just commenced a new role as Game Development Manager for ACT Northern & Districts. He has recent experience coaching in the Academy system and contributes to the ACT emerging coaching program.