CWI thanks Graeme West

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday thanked Graeme West for his 12 years of service to the organisation and to West Indies Teams.

West joined CWI on June 1, 2012 as the Head Coach of the High Performance Centre at Cave Hill, Barbados and will depart from his current role of High Performance Manager on September 30, 2024.

Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland have announced West’s appointment as director of high performance with Ireland, starting in October.

Starting his coaching career with Middlesex County Cricket Club, West held the position of Academy Director for five years. He developed a fruitful relationship with Brian O’Rourke and helped guide talented young Irish players including Andrew and Stuart Poynter, Paul Stirling, and Andrew Balbirnie through the county system.

As he prepared for his departure, West said: “I would like to thank Cricket West Indies for the opportunities provided to me and my family over the last 12 years. Working with world class players and coaches has supported my professional development and enhanced my love and passion for the game of cricket.

“I leave the organisation as a more experienced coach, a more rounded leader and a World Cup winner. Equally important to me are the relationships I have developed with players, coaches and the staff that have supported me throughout my time at CWI and I am sure will continue to do so in the future.

“My time spent in the Caribbean will forever hold a special place in my heart. My wife and I have raised our children on the beaches of Barbados and Antigua and we have thoroughly enjoyed and embraced the many cultures and diversity across the region.”

Speaking on the next stage of his journey, West expressed his delight with the direction in which cricket in Ireland is going, and his pleasure to be a part of it.

“I am delighted to be joining Cricket Ireland as the organisation continues to grow and strengthen. The Strategic Plan for 2024-27 is incredibly exciting and I look forward to applying my experience and philosophy to the wealth of talent and expertise that has been assembled as we further establish Ireland as a major cricketing nation.”

CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe said: “I sincerely thank Graeme for his 12 years of service to West Indies cricket. He has contributed significantly to the development of our High Performance system and has overseen many initiatives that we will continue to grow after he departs. We are grateful for his years of commitment and wish him the best as he turns the page to a new chapter in his career.”

As the West Indies Under 19 Men’s Head Coach, West led the team to World Cup success in 2016. As West Indies ‘A’ Team Head Coach he won series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. ​ As the High Performance Manager, Graeme was instrumental in establishing the new Men’s and Women’s Academy programs at CCG and the new 12-month U19 Pathway Programmes.

(PR)