The ECB has appointed former Australia batter Leah Poulton as the new Managing Director of England Women. She will start her new role in November and will oversee the international team and its player pathways. Poulton comes into the position with strong experience in Australian women’s cricket, both as a former player and as a coach and administrator. England Women recently reached the final of this summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, while the Metro Bank Women’s Ashes will take place on home soil next year.
Poulton played 90 times for Australia before retiring in 2015. She has spent the past six years as Head of Elite Female Cricket at Cricket New South Wales (NSW), where she oversees performance operations across two WBBL franchises, women’s State cricket and one of the world’s largest women’s cricket talent pathways. Before this, she spent three years at Cricket Australia as a High Performance Coach. There, she led the design and implementation of Australia’s women’s high-performance pathway, including the development of the Australia A and Under-19s women’s teams.
In her new position, Poulton will be responsible for England Women, England Women A and England Women U19s. She will also oversee the overall effectiveness and reputation of the women’s high-performance system. Poulton will work closely with England Women Head Coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt to create a clear and shared vision for the team. Her role will focus on helping England Women perform consistently at the highest level. She will also play a part in developing the wider pathway for future England players.
ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould welcomed Poulton and spoke about the experience she will bring to the role. He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Leah on board to help us build on this and take us to the next level. She has a deep understanding of international cricket from her playing career and has built an impressive reputation in her time in administration. I believe she and Lottie will be a formidable combination, and will continue the team’s progress and development as we compete for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy and Women’s Ashes in 2027.”
Poulton’s work after retirement has covered several important areas of Australian women’s cricket. She first became an assistant coach with Sydney Thunder and later Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League. She then spent three years at Cricket NSW as Pathway Manager and Assistant Coach for NSW Breakers. After joining Cricket Australia as a High Performance Coach, she worked with the Australia A, Under-19s and Under-15s women’s teams. She also oversaw the introduction of the Under-19 and A team programmes and the first overseas tour of both teams.
Poulton became Head of Elite Female Cricket at Cricket NSW in April 2020. In that position, she has overseen cricket performance operations across two WBBL franchises, women’s State cricket and a major women’s talent pathway. She will now take that experience into the England set-up. Poulton succeeds Clare Connor, who announced earlier this year that she would leave the ECB after a career spanning 18 years. Connor has played an important role in developing women’s cricket during her time with the organisation.
Poulton said: “I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be joining England, and to have the opportunity to help shape our programmes and, most importantly, invest in our people. I’m looking forward to working with Charlotte, Nat and the wider team, building on the strong foundations already in place and taking the programme forward.” She will now prepare to take charge of the programme from November. Her responsibilities will cover the senior side as well as the A and Under-19 teams.
Poulton also paid tribute to Connor and recognised the work she has done for the game. She said: “I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible contribution Clare Connor has made to England and to cricket around the world. She has played such an important role in advancing the game, and I’m grateful to be taking on a role she has shaped so significantly.” Poulton also highlighted the importance of strong pathways and a healthy domestic game for sustained success. She said she was looking forward to connecting with people across the game and helping give the next generation of English players every opportunity to thrive.
Loves all things female cricket