Sussex Cricket announces restructure of men’s and boys’ coaching structure

Ahead of head coach Jason Gillespie’s third season with the club and the men’s squad departure for their pre-season tour to Cape Town, Sussex Cricket has announced a restructure of its coaching and support staff setup for men’s and boys’ performance cricket.

This brings the setup in line with the terms of the new County Partnership Agreement (CPA) with the ECB.

The role of assistant coach has been replaced with three full-time specialist coaching positions.

Jason Swift – who was previously assistant coach - has been appointed batting coach, James Kirtley will continue as seam bowling coach and former Sussex and England leg-spinner, Ian Salisbury has been appointed as spin bowling coach.

Salisbury joins the coaching staff on a full-time basis, having previously worked with the club as a consultant.  

All three will work with the men’s professional squads as well as across the boy’s performance pathway.

Jason Gillespie and Richard Halsall’s roles as head coach and head of talent pathway are unchanged.

David McIlwaine has taken on the full-time role of boys’ performance pathway strength and conditioning coach. Mat Spence remains the club’s lead strength and conditioning coach.

David vacates the roles of Sussex Cricket women’s and girls’ strength and conditioning coach and Aldridge Cricket Academy strength and conditioning coach, both of which will be filled by former Sussex Cricket intern, Jack Baldwin.

Jack re-joins the club following his studies at the University of Portsmouth and St. Mary’s, Twickenham and positions at Portsmouth FC, Portsmouth Tennis Academy, Gomez Tennis Academy, Florida and INEOS Team UK.

The club is also recruiting a full-time physiotherapist to work alongside Jon Marrale, Sussex Cricket’s head of medical management.

Commenting on the restructure, Sussex Cricket’s performance director, Keith Greenfield, said: “The game is entering an exciting time with the new County Partnership Agreement. This brings with it extra commitments to deliver quality programmes and support across our cricketing pathway.

“This restructure creates accountability for everyone in these key performance roles and enhanced resources for the club.”

Gillespie added: “Installing three top class coaches to be accountable for the main batting and bowling disciplines is a great boost at every level of our pathway at Sussex. As is having superb medical and strength and conditioning staff supporting our players.

“It’s fantastic to have the resources available to expand our setup and I’m delighted to have such high-calibre individuals working as part of this new structure. I’m looking forward to seeing our players progress working with this team of coaches.”