Western Storm head coach Mark O'Leary stands down

O'Leary, who joined the club as an assistant coach in 2019, led Storm into the newly professionalised era in 2020 and 2021

Western Storm will have a new head coach for 2022 after Mark O'Leary resigned from the post.

O'Leary, who joined the club as an assistant coach in 2019, led Storm into the newly professionalised era in 2020 and 2021.

However, he has opted to step down ahead of the new Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup campaigns.

^{Mark O'Leary has been head coach at Western Storm since 2020}

He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Western Storm, and it's been a great three years, but the time has come for me to take on a new challenge.

"I'm proud of everything that we have achieved during what is an incredibly exciting time for the women's game, and I wish Western Storm every success in the future.

"There is an incredible talent pool within the region, and I look forward to seeing how things progress both on and off the field."

Under O'Leary's leadership, Storm finished second in the South Group of the 2020 Heyhoe Flint Trophy, before his team finished sixth of the eight-team group stage last year.

^{Storm will need a new head coach in 2022}

In the 2021 Charlotte Edwards Cup - the domestic 20-over competition for women - Storm won four of their six matches but did not make the knockout phase. 

The region's director of women's cricket, Lisa Pagett, said: "Everyone associated with Western Storm would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for everything that he has done during his time with us.

"His dedication and passion for the game has been key in guiding Western Storm into a new professional era, and we wish Mark well in all of his future ventures."

Main image courtesy of Somerset CCC