New position for Middlesex man Coleman
MIDDLESEX Cricket have confirmed that interim head coach Alan Coleman has accepted the new role of head of men’s performance cricket.
In a restructuring of the coaching staff, Coleman will be responsible for overseeing the professional men’s game and will work closely with both a first XI men’s coach and a club coach – two roles the club will be looking to appoint in the very near future.
Middlesex-born Coleman, 38, made a handful of List-A appearances for the club as a player in 2001 and 2002, before beginning a coaching career that has seen him rise through the ranks at the county to his current position.
His coaching pedigree has taken him from Middlesex’s county age group sides, to head of the club’s academy, second XI coach, assistant coach with the first XI and most recently to the role of interim head coach, when stepping in to oversee the squad’s winter training programme following the departure of Stuart Law.
Middlesex’s chief executive, Andrew Cornish, said: “We are thrilled to have agreed this new role with Alan who is a Middlesex man through and through, who belongs here at the club.
“He is the perfect fit for what we are looking to achieve and I’ve no doubt that he will excel in this latest challenge, as he has done time and time again in every previous coaching role in our structure.
“A review of our current set-up has led to a focus on us putting in place a coaching structure that helps support our strategy of developing our own young cricketers and building a plan for success on the pitch moving forward.
“We are blessed to have such a young and talented group of homegrown players in the Middlesex dressing room, with 70% of the current playing squad being products of our own youth academy – they are undoubtedly the future of Middlesex Cricket. With those youngsters complemented by a senior group of experienced cricketers, we firmly believe that with the right coaching structure in place, we can develop this group into a side that achieves success for many years to come.
“We’re looking for continuity, stability, an environment where the players can learn, grow, develop and thrive, and it is our responsibility to put that in place. We are confident that with Alan overseeing this structure, having worked so closely with the majority of our playing squad throughout their careers, and working closely with two new coaches we will be appointing, we have the recipe for success.”
On securing the role of head of men’s performance cricket, Coleman said: “I am honoured to be offered this opportunity with a club that is so close to my heart.
“We have a lot of work to do to reverse the team’s fortunes over the last few years, but I am confident that if we create the right environment for our players, and support them with the appointment of an excellent first team coach and club coach, that we will be able to make significant progress in the near future.
“I truly believe in the ability of the playing group that we have here at the club, and I can speak personally and on behalf of the entire dressing room when saying that, collectively, we are all looking forward to repaying the faith that our members and supporters have shown in us.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the club’s board of directors and especially Andrew Cornish, the club’s CEO, for the support they’ve given me – and the hard work starts now.”