The Hobart Hurricanes have strengthened their coaching setup ahead of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL 12), appointing experienced coach Courtney Winfield-Hill as an assistant coach as the defending champions prepare for another demanding season. Following their historic championship triumph last summer, the Hurricanes are determined to maintain their winning momentum, and Winfield-Hill’s arrival brings valuable international and domestic experience to the team’s coaching ranks.
Winfield-Hill, an Australian-born former cricketer, has established an impressive coaching career across several prominent teams and competitions. Her previous roles include working with England Women, Brisbane Heat, Trent Rockets and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Her experience across different cricketing environments is expected to provide the Hurricanes with fresh perspectives as they look to build on their previous success and prepare for the challenges of defending their WBBL title.
The appointment also marks Winfield-Hill’s return to coaching following the birth of her first child, Margot. Currently residing in the United Kingdom, she revealed that the opportunity came unexpectedly during a late-night spell of looking after her baby, making the offer particularly exciting as she prepares to return to the professional cricket environment.
Winfield-Hill expressed her enthusiasm about joining the Hurricanes, highlighting the opportunity to reconnect with former teammate Jude Coleman and work alongside familiar faces. She also praised the club’s inclusive and supportive culture, explaining that she was grateful her daughter could share this new chapter with her. The appointment represents both a professional comeback and an opportunity for Winfield-Hill to balance her coaching career with motherhood.
Reflecting on the Hurricanes’ championship-winning campaign last season, Winfield-Hill said she had enjoyed watching the team compete from a neutral perspective. She was particularly impressed by the way the players approached the competition and delivered entertaining performances throughout the tournament. Having been pleased to see Coleman and the squad lift the trophy, she is now looking forward to contributing to their ambitions in the upcoming season. While acknowledging that every campaign brings a different group and fresh challenges, she made it clear that the objective remains unchanged: winning trophies.
Winfield-Hill’s arrival completes the Hobart Hurricanes’ coaching group for the upcoming WBBL season. She will work alongside head coach Jude Coleman, bowling coach Kristen Beams and batting coach Mark McInnes, giving the defending champions a well-rounded coaching team as they prepare for their title defence.
Cricket Tasmania’s Head of High Performance, Salliann Beams, welcomed the appointment, emphasising Winfield-Hill’s cricketing knowledge and experience in high-performance environments. Beams noted that successfully defending a championship presents a different challenge from winning one initially, with rival teams expected to raise their standards in pursuit of the reigning champions. She believes Winfield-Hill’s fresh ideas and understanding of player development will help the Hurricanes continue improving both individually and collectively.
The Hobart Hurricanes will begin their WBBL12 title defence against Melbourne Stars on Thursday at Junction Oval. With an experienced coaching group and the confidence of last season’s championship success, the Hurricanes will aim to make another strong start as they pursue further silverware in the Women’s Big Bash League.
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