Latest news with #WesternStorm
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Somerset want to 'pave the way' as new era begins
Somerset's inaugural women's team want to "pave the way" for the next generation ahead of the opening game of their first season, says bowler Laura club are one of eight counties awarded Tier 1 status following a major revamp of the women's domestic game for this open their campaign on Wednesday away to Surrey in the One-Day Cup, before their first home match begins on Sunday at their new home the County Ground in Taunton, against Lancashire."It's really good when you come to a ground like this [Taunton] seeing how rich a history it's got, but there are no women around so we want to try and pave the way and try and get our pictures up there to inspire the next generation," Jackson told BBC Radio Somerset."When I first started being a pro four years ago I wouldn't have told you that we have full professional sides and counties actually had their own teams."I'm excited for it and I think England is going to be full of potential." Jackson, 27, is one of 20 players signed to Somerset for this season, including England all-rounders Danielle Gibson and Charlie Dean, former England captain Heather Knight and Taunton local Sophie Luff, who will captain the all-rounder Amanda-Jade Wellington has also signed as Somerset's overseas player, having played for Western Storm during 2024 in the region."When Somerset got awarded the Tier One status, [I] really wanted to be that professional overseas player, the first ever, which is a massive honour. I just can't to get under way," Wellington said."I know as an overseas player there's big reputation about yourself and what you can bring to a squad and a team - and the culture as well - so I'm hoping I can make a mark for Somerset." Former Western Storm head coach Trevor Griffin was appointed head coach of Somerset last autumn. With the women's teams also competing in the T20 Blast in 2025, Griffin said he wants his side to be competing at the end of the season."We want to be there competing as we get into those final games of the season, the real pointy end," Griffin said."[We want to be] up there and challenging for the opportunities to get into Finals Day. It's going to be a fascinating year for a number of reasons."
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Spinner Nicholas retires aged 38
Welsh spin bowler Claire Nicholas has retired from top-level cricket aged was the leading wicket-taker for the Welsh Fire franchise in was one of the first Welsh players to represent the Western Storm regional Nicholas, formerly Thomas, made her Wales debut aged just 16 and helped the side to three successive combined her sporting ambitions with a career as a teacher as well as motherhood.A tribute from Glamorgan described her as "leaving a great legacy in Wales and beyond".The news came just a few days before the first competitive match played by the new Glamorgan women's side, which is due to become a full-time professional outfit in 2027.
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Sacked Glamorgan coach Bradburn fined for comments with racist and sexist ‘connotations'
The former Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn has received a suspended £500 fine, reprimand and caution for making comments with racist and sexist 'connotations'. Bradburn was charged by the Cricket Regulator and sacked by the Welsh county in December after allegations were made against the 58-year-old. The charge – which Bradburn admitted – was made up of three allegations, spelled out in the Cricket Discipline Commission's full judgment. The first outlined that he asked players of Asian backgrounds what their 'Cricinfo' age was, thus 'implying that Asian players do not tell the truth about their age'. The second said Bradburn 'made comments that, in cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, they would pick their friends and cousins or pick their names out of a hat'. The former New Zealand international was Pakistan's head coach in 2023 before joining Glamorgan in January 2024. The third said that during fielding sessions, Bradburn used the phrase ''this isn't Western Storm' [women's cricket team] or similar when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity in their fielding or not throwing hard enough'. Regarding the Western Storm comment, Tim O'Gorman, the CDC's adjudicator, added: 'The Cricket Regulator submitted that Mr Bradburn's position as a head coach increased the seriousness of the offending in determining sanction because their view is that culture in any organisation starts from the top down and Mr Bradburn's actions undermined the ECB's and the game of cricket's objective in being the most inclusive sport. 'The CR argued that this is illustrated by the fact that players picked up on Mr Bradburn's words regarding Western Storm and started using those words themselves.' O'Gorman found that Bradburn's conduct 'perpetuated stereotypes' and had racist and sexist 'connotations', but 'there was no racist or discriminatory intent in the comments made'. He added that Bradburn 'meant no offence, never denied making these statements, co-operated fully with the investigation, and unreservedly apologised if any offence was taken'. In addition to his fine – which is suspended for a year – caution and reprimand, Bradburn is required to attend an educational course. 'Glamorgan Cricket acknowledges and welcomes this decision by the Regulator,' said Glamorgan's CEO, Dan Cherry. 'We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour so as soon as issues were pointed out to us we acted swiftly to protect those affected and show a strong line against poor behaviours that do not reflect the club's values. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion 'We're confident that the systems and processes we have in place to identify poor behaviour are working by virtue of the fact that those affected felt able to come forward on these points.' Bradburn has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sacked Bradburn fined for discriminatory comments
Former Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn has been sanctioned after admitting charges of using discriminatory language. Bradburn, 58, was sacked by the Welsh county in December following their own internal investigation. The independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) found the former Scotland and Pakistan coach to have made comments with "racist connotations" on two occasions and in another instance comments with "sexist connotations". Bradburn has been issued with a reprimand, a caution as to his future conduct, a requirement to attend an educational course and a suspended fine of £500. Fire funds to help Glamorgan become financially sustainable Ex-England coach Mott returning to Glamorgan Glamorgan sack coach Bradburn after misconduct charge In its written reasons for the sanction, the CDC said: "It was alleged that, on a number of occasions (including during the pre-season of 2024 in the changing room at Sophia Gardens) Mr Bradburn asked players of Asian background what their 'real age' is and responded to their answer by saying 'is that your CricInfo age' or 'CricInfo' or similar, implying that Asian players do not tell the truth about their age. "It was alleged that in a pre-season team meeting Mr Bradburn made comments that, in cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, they would pick their friends and cousins or pick their names out of a hat. "It was alleged that in fielding practice sessions Mr Bradburn would use the phrase 'this isn't Western Storm' or similar, when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity in their fielding or not throwing hard enough, suggesting that they were 'throwing like girls'." In his judgement, CDC adjudicator Tim O'Gorman noted by way of mitigation the New Zealander "meant no offence, never denied making these statements, co-operated fully with the investigation, and unreservedly apologised if any offence was taken". The judgement added: "Mr Bradburn has stated that although he has always sought to create an environment which is inclusive and supportive, he reflected on the specific allegations, and quickly acknowledged that the language he used was not appropriate." The commission, however, found that the comments were "prejudicial to the interests of cricket, brought the game and Mr Bradburn into disrepute, and undermined the ECB's [England and Wales Cricket Board] strategic objective of eradicating discrimination from the sport". Welcoming the regulator's decision, Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry said: "We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour so as soon as issues were pointed out to us we acted swiftly to protect those affected and show a strong line against poor behaviours that do not reflect the club's values. "We're confident that the systems and processes we have in place to identify poor behaviour are working by virtue of the fact that those affected felt able to come forward on these points." Director of the Cricket Regulator Chris Haward said: "There is no place for discrimination in cricket and normalisation of discriminatory language through this kind of conduct is unacceptable. Where such instances are identified they will be investigated and those responsible will be held to account. "The Regulator would like to thank Glamorgan for their assistance in this matter and praise the openness and courage of those who reported this misconduct." Bradburn was appointed Glamorgan head coach on a three-year deal in January 2024, succeeding former County Championship head coach Matthew Maynard and limited-overs leader Mark Alleyne. The 58-year-old New Zealander was Scotland's head coach between 2014-2018. The former Test off-spinner then became Pakistan's fielding coach before signing a two-year deal as head coach in May 2023. However, Bradburn left the role later that year after Pakistan missed out on the World Cup semi-finals.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sacked Bradburn fined for discriminatory comments
Former Glamorgan head coach Grant Bradburn has been sanctioned after admitting charges of using discriminatory 58, was sacked by the Welsh county in December following their own internal independent Cricked Discipline Commission (CDC) found the former Scotland and Pakistan coach to have made comments with "racist connotations" on two occasions and in another instance comments with "sexist connotations".Bradburn has been issued with a reprimand, a caution as to his future conduct, a requirement to attend an educational course and a suspended fine of £500. In its written reasons for the sanction, the CDC said: "It was alleged that, on a number of occasions (including during the pre-season of 2024 in the changing room at Sophia Gardens) Mr Bradburn asked players of Asian background what their 'real age' is and responded to their answer by saying 'is that your CricInfo age' or 'CricInfo' or similar, implying that Asian players do not tell the truth about their age."It was alleged that in a pre-season team meeting Mr Bradburn made comments that, in cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, they would pick their friends and cousins or pick their names out of a hat."It was alleged that in fielding practice sessions Mr Bradburn would use the phrase 'this isn't Western Storm' or similar, when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity in their fielding or not throwing hard enough, suggesting that they were 'throwing like girls'."In his judgement, CDC adjudicator Tim O'Gorman noted by way of mitigation the New Zealander "meant no offence, never denied making these statements, co-operated fully with the investigation, and unreservedly apologised if any offence was taken".The judgement added: "Mr Bradburn has stated that although he has always sought to create an environment which is inclusive and supportive, he reflected on the specific allegations, and quickly acknowledged that the language he used was not appropriate."The commission, however, found that the comments were "prejudicial to the interests of cricket, brought the game and Mr Bradburn into disrepute, and undermined the ECB's [England and Wales Cricket Board] strategic objective of eradicating discrimination from the sport".Welcoming the regulator's decision, Glamorgan chief executive Dan Cherry said: "We have a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour so as soon as issues were pointed out to us we acted swiftly to protect those affected and show a strong line against poor behaviours that do not reflect the club's values."We're confident that the systems and processes we have in place to identify poor behaviour are working by virtue of the fact that those affected felt able to come forward on these points."Director of the Cricket Regulator Chris Haward said: "There is no place for discrimination in cricket and normalisation of discriminatory language through this kind of conduct is unacceptable. Where such instances are identified they will be investigated and those responsible will be held to account."The Regulator would like to thank Glamorgan for their assistance in this matter and praise the openness and courage of those who reported this misconduct." Bradburn was appointed Glamorgan head coach on a three-year deal in January 2024, succeeding former County Championship head coach Matthew Maynard and limited-overs leader Mark 58-year-old New Zealander was Scotland's head coach between former Test off-spinner then became Pakistan's fielding coach before signing a two-year deal as head coach in May Bradburn left the role later that year after Pakistan missed out on the World Cup semi-finals.
