A Bay of Plenty cricket player and coach, who has worn the Blue and Gold Bay uniform with absolute pride, has been appointed as the new Coach of the Bay senior men's representative team, for the coming season.

Ben Williams follows in the footsteps of James Pamment, who fashioned an outstanding record in the four years in charge of the Bay first eleven.

The new senior men's coach has excelled in both the playing and coaching ranks, since relocating from Northland to the Bay of Plenty a decade ago.

Bay of Plenty Cricket manager Mark Webb says when James advised them he was no longer available due to ND and New Zealand commitments, they advertised for a new senior men's team coach.

'After an extensive and transparent process Ben was promoted to mentor the team from last season's role as the team's assistant coach.”

At same time the selection process for the Bay Development team coach was undertaken. Ben will also oversee the Bay second eleven, with an inter-related approach to the two sides being put in place.

As a player Williams was a genuine all-rounder, who was selected to play in the Bay of Plenty uniform on 51 occasions.

He is one of just two Bay players who has smashed a century and taken a six-wicket bag in representative match.

Over a thousand runs and 60 wickets for the Bay, testify to a player that really made his mark on the field of play.

In tandem with his playing career Williams set about forging significant steps on the cricket coaching pathway.

Player/coach roles in England and Holland and coaching development responsibilities with the Dutch age group teams, propelled Ben into significant coach roles with ND and Bay Cricket last season.

Such was his success, that Ben was awarded the inaugural BOPCA David Johnston Services to Cricket Award, at the Bay of Plenty Cricket prize giving.

Ben assisted James Pamment to win the Northern Districts Fergus Hickey Rosebowl and coached the Bay Development team to success in the ND Basil McBurney Development competition.

In addition he mentored the ND Under 16 team to win the North Island title, doing it with style with an unbeaten record.