Russell Williams To Mentor Bay Of Plenty Development Team

Posted: Friday, 27 October 2017

BOP Development Team

The promotion of last season’s Bay of Plenty Development Coach Charles Williams, to take charge of the Bay of Plenty Senior Men’s side this year, has opened the door for Russell Williams appointment as the Bay of Plenty Second XI coach.

Russell Williams will be joining a Bay of Plenty Cricket coaching pathway which has seen previous Senior Men’s coaches, in James Pamment promoted to Northern Districts Head Coach and Graeme Aldridge appointed the New Zealand Under 19 team fast bowling coach. Born in Northland, Williams first came to the Bay of Plenty region to join the Rotorua Boys High School golf program as a 14 year old in 2004. After leaving school and extremely passionate about sport, he joined his brother at the Ben Williams Cricket Academy then stationed in Te Puke. This is where his ongoing love of the game started.
“At the Ben Williams Academy, I developed a huge passion for the development of aspiring cricketers of our great game, which has led me to pursue a place on the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand cricket coaching passageway”. Employment at the BWCA which shifted to Te Puna, saw Williams rubbing shoulders with local Black Caps Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Corey Anderson, who used the Te Puna cricket coaching facility on a regular basis when in town.

Two seasons in The Netherlands as a player/coach honed the aspiring cricket mentor skill sets. Last season Williams branched out on his own, coaching a number of promising age-group players at the Bay Indoor Centre in Mount Maunganui. “I am passionate about developing and improving young players and get a buzz from seeing the youngsters mature into better quality players”.
A twin role awaits the new Development coach, who will assist Charles Williams as assistant coach of the Bay of Plenty Senior Men’s side. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside Charles and the boys in the Bay team. This region has been a strong platform for a lot of great players and it’s a privilege to now be involved”.

Asked about his expectations of the Bay Development team, Russell replied “Certainly to be competitive, but more importantly to lay a strong platform to feed into the senior men’s side. I am excited to be part of the Bay of Plenty coaching pathway and assist the Bay to remain the number-one minor association in the country”.
The Bay of Plenty Development side, kicks off their ND Development campaign on Sunday 5th November 2017 at the Bay Oval against archrivals Hamilton, before backing up at the same venue two weeks later in a match-up with Waikato Valley.

ND Development Competition 2017/18
November 5 v Hamilton at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
November 19 v Waikato Valley at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
February 11 v Poverty Bay at Harry Barker Reserve, Gisborne
February 25 v Northland at Cobham Oval, Whangarei
March 11 v Counties Manukau at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

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