Welsh Fire women have announced their coaching team for the second edition of The Hundred.
Former West Indies and Durham all-rounder Gareth Breese has been named head coach, while David Hemp, Aimee Rees and Dan Helesfay have been appointed assistant coaches.
The Hundred proved a big hit last year with families and young people relishing the mix of fast-paced cricket with music and family entertainment off the pitch which will only be bigger and better this year.
Breese takes charge of the women’s team following the appointment of Matthew Mott as the England men’s team white-ball head coach.
The 46-year-old is currently England Women performance coach, and has been a key part of the set-up since joining the ECB as performance coach for spin across the pathway in 2018.
Prior to joining the ECB he was the women’s coach at Durham University, having previously won three County Championships and three domestic white-ball trophies across a 10-year playing career at Durham.
Welsh Fire men’s side start their campaign at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday 3 August in the opening game of the competition against Southern Brave. The side will then host Oval Invincibles at Sophia Gardens on Sunday 7 August.
The women get started the following Saturday (13 August) in a double header against Birmingham Phoenix at Sophia Gardens. The final home game of the competition sees Welsh Fire welcome Northern Superchargers for a double header on Friday 26 August.
Former Glamorgan and Bermuda batter Hemp is the current head coach of the Pakistan women’s team and has previously worked in the Big Bash League as the Melbourne Stars' women's head coach.
Rees remains with Welsh Fire for a second season having worked extensively across the Women’s game in Wales and as an assistant coach on the Western Storm Academy, while Helesfay is the senior regional talent manager at Western Storm.
Sophia Gardens will come alive with new activities offering even more fun for all the family and a diverse range of great music acts through the continuing partnership with BBC Music Introducing. Year two of The Hundred will also offer a new range of merchandise to get the family kitted out in full Welsh Fire colours.
On joining Welsh Fire, Gareth Breese said: “It’s a great opportunity and I am looking forward to being part of The Hundred and the Welsh Fire set-up. It is a hugely exciting competition and the team will be looking to make an impact.
“This is going to be my first head coach role and I’m excited about the experiences this will bring, I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started.
“We’ve been able to put together a very strong coaching set-up and it’s a squad with a healthy mix of world-class cricketers and exciting potential.
“I’m sure all the players will be aiming to display their skills and in doing so thrill the Cardiff crowd and bring The Hundred trophy back to Wales.”
Mark Wallace, Team Manager at Welsh Fire, said: “We’re really excited with the coaching team we’ve been able to put together for the Welsh Fire women’s team.
“Gareth has a fantastic reputation in the game and has been part of a very successful England setup for a while now.
“All the coaches we have added have lots of experience coaching at the top of the women’s game with some of the best players in the world and will be huge assets for Welsh Fire.”
Tickets
Get your seat now so you don’t miss out on the sport and entertainment event of the summer – tickets are now on general sale via www.thehundred.com
The Hundred offers an affordable day out for the family, with U16 tickets priced at £5 and free for children aged five and under, and there are family-friendly stands in every ground.
Make sure you don’t miss out - tickets have already been selling fast after last year’s buyers were given first chance to get their seats for this year.