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Women’s Head Coach Aaron Hamilton has signed a new three-year deal with Cricket Ireland
AARON HAMILTON has signed a new three-year deal with Cricket Ireland having taken the role as full-time women’s head coach in 2015.

The 38 year-old Queenslander has enjoyed success in his tenure, winning the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Bangkok beating Bangladesh, as well as overseeing further victories against Full Members South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“I’m looking forward to bringing on the next generation of Irish women’s players,” said Hamilton, who will combine his duties with the senior women, with responsibility for the Shapoorji Pallonji Women’s Academy Group.

“I’ve really enjoyed the last two years in this role and I still believe there is so much more we can do with this talented young group,” added Hamilton.

There are currently seven players in the Women’s Academy, and Hamilton hopes for an expansion of the programme.

“It would be great to have the Academy group increased over the next 12 to 18 months, similar to the way the Ireland Wolves programme is assisting the men’s talent develop to be ready for the step up to the next level.

“Teenagers Lara Maritz and Leah Paul from the Academy were selected for the recent tours of the UAE and South Africa – both acquitted themselves very well considering the level of opposition and their youthfulness.

“The pleasing sign from my end during the tour was the mental toughness shown by this group of players. Many others would have just collapsed but this group kept on working and learning all the way through both series. This trip shows that we have the young talent in Ireland. We just need to get regular resources, matches and contact time with these young players,” concluded Hamilton.

Ireland Women’s captain Laura Delany welcomed Hamilton’s contract extension saying: “Aaron became the first full-time Irish women’s coach when he was appointed back in 2015. During that time we won the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, along with a couple of comprehensive wins against South Africa and Bangladesh during the summer.

“It’s great to see the continued support that Cricket Ireland have shown by his re-appointment.

“We have just returned from a five-week tour with largely a group of up and coming players and whilst this was a difficult tour considering the calibre of the opposition we played, we look forward to Aaron directing the next phase of our development with an expanded pool of international players.”

Hamilton will get the chance to watch internationals past and present when the Toyota Super 3 Series gets under way next weekend, with the Typhoons meeting the Dragons in OakHill, after the first game this weekend was postponed due to exam timetables. The 50-over contest starts at 1pm.

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