Ben Sawyer has left the White Ferns head coach role after four years in charge. His contract was due to end in December 2026, but NZC did not renew it after a full review of the women’s high-performance structure. Sawyer took charge in June 2022, shortly after six young players received their first central contracts. Georgia Plimmer, Eden Carson and Izzy Gaze were among those players and later became World Cup winners under his leadership.
Sawyer’s time brought growth and major success for New Zealand. In his first campaign, the White Ferns won bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Two years later, he guided the team to New Zealand’s first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in Dubai.
Sawyer said, “Being the White Ferns coach has been a huge honour and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this group. This team means a lot to me and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in the past four years. Although I’m disappointed to be leaving, I want to wish the team and NZC all the best.”
NZC’s Chief High-Performance Cricket Officer Daryl Gibson said Sawyer had played an important role during a period of change. “Ben’s overseen a period of considerable change and progression for the White Ferns and we’re deeply appreciative of the commitment, professionalism and time he invested in the women’s game.”
White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr also thanked Sawyer for his work with the team. “We’re hugely grateful for Ben and everything he’s put into this team,” said Kerr. She also said Sawyer played a huge part in a defining moment for women’s cricket in New Zealand and that his belief helped propel the team to World Cup victory after a difficult few months.
NZC Head of Women’s High-Performance Development Liz Green also highlighted Sawyer’s approach and legacy. She said Sawyer leaves the team and women’s pathways stronger, while his programme plan and structure will continue to support NZC’s aim of long-term sustainable success. Green said she was sad to see him depart but gave him her full respect and gratitude for everything he had achieved across the women’s game.
The review also led to changes in the wider women’s high-performance setup. It recommended introducing a Performance Lead role, while the White Ferns Manager position held by Rachel Pettit has been disestablished. An interim head coach and team manager will travel to Australia next month for the T20I series. Recruitment for the White Ferns head coach and Performance Lead roles will begin shortly, while the squad for the Australia T20I series is expected to be named in early October.
Key White Ferns achievements during Ben Sawyer’s tenure
2022
Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal
4-1 T20I series win against West Indies (in West Indies)
2-1 ODI series win against West Indies (in West Indies)
3-0 T20I series win against Bangladesh
1-0 ODI series win against Bangladesh
2023
2-1 T20I series win against Sri Lanka (in Sri Lanka)
2-1 ODI series win against Pakistan
2024
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Champions
2025
2-1 ODI series win against Sri Lanka
Drawn T20I series against Sri Lanka
2026
3-0 T20I series win against Zimbabwe
3-0 ODI series win against Zimbabwe
4-1 T20I series win against South Africa
2-1 ODI series win against South Africa
Drawn ODI series against England (in England)
Sawyer leaves after four years that included New Zealand’s first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal, and several strong series results across formats during his time at the helm, while helping develop younger players within the programme as well. The White Ferns will now prepare for the Australia T20I series with an interim coaching setup, while NZC begins the search for new leadership. His departure closes one chapter for the team as the programme moves into its next phase.
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