In tandem with the new Bay of Plenty Cricket junior winter training program, the representative age group coaches for the 2012/13 season, have recently been appointed.

The purpose of the early appointment of the BOP Lakeland and BOP Coastland coaches, who will guide the Bay of Plenty junior rep teams in the coming season, is to work with and oversee the winter junior training program.

Around a decade ago, Bay of Plenty was given the opportunity to enter two teams in the annual ND age group cricket tournaments.

The BOP Lakeland teams are drawn from the Eastern Bay, Rotorua and Taupo regions with the BOP Coastland sides centred on the Western Bay of Plenty.

The new season coaches are a real mix of experience, and several new comers who have attained their NZ Cricket coaching credentials, in order to progress along the Bay of Plenty Cricket coaching pathway.

Both senior secondary coaches have had several years in charge of the Bays oldest age group representatives.

BOP Coastland coach Peter Swan, who holds a NZ Cricket level three coaching qualification will again mentor the senior BOP Coastland age group team, with Tony Wolsey again in charge of the BOP Lakeland representatives.

Two recent graduates for the Bay of Plenty senior secondary sides are Joe Carter and Seam Davey who will represent New Zealand in the ICC under 19 World Cup, to be played in Australia in August 2012.

Mark Crawford, who guided the fortunes of the BOP Lakeland primary team last season, has made a step up to the Lakeland junior secondary team this season.

The Lakeland primary representatives had an outstanding season last year, with just a single defeat on their ledger card.

Tauranga Boys College teacher Charles Williams, who has been in charge of the Tauranga Boys second eleven, has been given the BOP Coastland coaching reigns for the first time.

Russell Williams, who delivers coaching at the Ben Williams Cricket Coaching Academy in the Western Bay, will coach the BOP Coastland primary side, with Rotorua age group rep team coach Karl McKnight in charge of the BOP Lakeland primary side.

Bay of Plenty Cricket 2012/13 Age Group Coaches

BOP Lakeland

Primary: Karl McKnight

Junior Secondary: Mark Crawford

Senior Secondary: Tony Wolsey

BOP Coastland

Primary: Russell Williams

Junior Secondary: Charles Williams

Senior Secondary: Peter Swan