New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today announced that Katrina Keenan has been appointed White Ferns Head Coach.
The former New Zealand fast bowler recently coached the Auckland Hearts to first and second place respectively in the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions. She previously held the position of National Development Officer at NZC, has been Assistant Coach of the White Ferns and spent four years in Japan coaching the national women’s team.
During her playing days Keenan represented the White Ferns in five Test matches and 54 One Day Internationals and was part of the Women’s World Cup winning side in 2000.
NZC Director of Cricket, John Buchanan, said he was delighted that a candidate of Keenan’s background and experience has been appointed to this important role.
“We are very excited that Katrina has accepted this role,” said Buchanan. “Her impressive record as an international player combined with her coaching success made her the outstanding candidate to coach the White Ferns.
“She brings great qualities to the role, including a genuine passion for women’s cricket developed over many years in the game as a player, mentor, and coach.
“We were impressed by the way she outlined a strong commitment to work closely with the Major Associations to deliver programmes that prepare and develop cricketers to achieve sustained success at international level.
“Katrina expressed a real desire to raise the profile of women’s cricket and has a strong focus on improving team performance.”
Keenan said it was a huge honour to be offered the White Ferns coaching role.
“I am incredibly motivated by working in women’s cricket and excited by the opportunity to continue the good work of Gary Stead,” said Keenan.
“I have an extensive background and understanding of the game and I am passionate about women’s cricket.
“The team has some big tours and tournaments ahead and I’m excited by the challenge and determined to work hard with the players to improve the performance of the White Ferns.”
Keenan’s first assignment will be to prepare the White Ferns for the upcoming Rose Bowl series in Australia before taking the team to next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in India.
The former New Zealand fast bowler recently coached the Auckland Hearts to first and second place respectively in the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions. She previously held the position of National Development Officer at NZC, has been Assistant Coach of the White Ferns and spent four years in Japan coaching the national women’s team.
During her playing days Keenan represented the White Ferns in five Test matches and 54 One Day Internationals and was part of the Women’s World Cup winning side in 2000.
NZC Director of Cricket, John Buchanan, said he was delighted that a candidate of Keenan’s background and experience has been appointed to this important role.
“We are very excited that Katrina has accepted this role,” said Buchanan. “Her impressive record as an international player combined with her coaching success made her the outstanding candidate to coach the White Ferns.
“She brings great qualities to the role, including a genuine passion for women’s cricket developed over many years in the game as a player, mentor, and coach.
“We were impressed by the way she outlined a strong commitment to work closely with the Major Associations to deliver programmes that prepare and develop cricketers to achieve sustained success at international level.
“Katrina expressed a real desire to raise the profile of women’s cricket and has a strong focus on improving team performance.”
Keenan said it was a huge honour to be offered the White Ferns coaching role.
“I am incredibly motivated by working in women’s cricket and excited by the opportunity to continue the good work of Gary Stead,” said Keenan.
“I have an extensive background and understanding of the game and I am passionate about women’s cricket.
“The team has some big tours and tournaments ahead and I’m excited by the challenge and determined to work hard with the players to improve the performance of the White Ferns.”
Keenan’s first assignment will be to prepare the White Ferns for the upcoming Rose Bowl series in Australia before taking the team to next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in India.
