TAUNTON — Somerset Women head coach Trevor Griffin will step down from his role at the conclusion of the 2024 season, the club has confirmed. The announcement brings an end to a challenging inaugural campaign for the side in the professional women's structure.
Griffin, a highly respected and experienced figure in the women's game, was appointed in February to lead the newly formed team into their first season in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Charlotte Edwards Cup. His departure was confirmed following a meeting with the club's director of cricket, Andy Hurry.
In a statement released by the club, Hurry said: "We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Trevor for his hard work and commitment during the club’s inaugural women’s professional season. He has worked tirelessly under challenging circumstances to develop our players and we wish him the very best for the future."
A Challenging Inaugural Season
Somerset's entry into the top tier of women's domestic cricket was always going to be a steep learning curve. Unlike the eight established regional hubs, Somerset had to build a squad and a coaching structure from the ground up in a very short timeframe. The results have reflected this difficult start.
The team has struggled for consistency and victories across both competitions. Key challenges that have defined their season include:
- A late start in assembling a full playing squad.
- Intense competition from well-established regional teams.
- Injuries to key players at crucial stages of the season.
- The inherent difficulty of building team cohesion rapidly.
Despite the on-field challenges, Griffin has been widely praised for his professionalism and dedication to developing individual players within the squad, many of whom are making the transition from the recreational game to the professional environment.
Griffin's Storied Career
Trevor Griffin is one of the most successful coaches in the history of women’s domestic cricket in England. His decision to leave Somerset marks a significant moment. Prior to his move to Taunton, Griffin enjoyed a highly successful tenure as head coach of the South East Stars.
Under his guidance, the Stars were a dominant force, winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2021 and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2022. His coaching philosophy, focused on aggressive and fearless cricket, helped develop numerous England internationals and established the Stars as a production line for talent.
In his own statement on the departure, Griffin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity but acknowledged the difficulties faced: "I'd like to thank Somerset for the opportunity and wish the players and staff all the very best for the future. It's been a challenging year but I have no doubt the club will make progress in the seasons to come."
Looking Ahead for Somerset Women
The search for Griffin's successor will now begin in earnest as Somerset looks to build a more competitive outfit for the 2025 season. The club's leadership has emphasized its long-term commitment to the women's programme, viewing this first season as a foundational step.
The new head coach will inherit a squad featuring promising young talents like Sophie Luff, the team's captain, and England Academy player Emily Edgcombe. The off-season will be crucial for recruitment and further strengthening the squad's depth.
Andy Hurry reiterated the club's ambition: "Our commitment to developing women’s and girls’ cricket at Somerset is unwavering. We will now begin the process of appointing a new head coach who can build on the foundations laid this year and help us progress towards our long-term goals."
The departure of a coach of Griffin's calibre is a setback, but it also presents an opportunity for Somerset to reflect, learn from the experiences of this inaugural season, and appoint a leader who can navigate the unique challenges of building a team from its infancy into a sustainable and successful franchise.
The remainder of the 2024 season will now be an audition of sorts for the players, as they look to finish on a high and impress the incoming coaching regime. Griffin will remain in charge for the final fixtures, aiming to secure positive results to build momentum for the future.
The news has been met with surprise across the cricketing community, with many acknowledging the tough nature of Griffin's task this season. The focus now shifts to who will take on this ambitious project next and how Somerset can attract a top candidate to drive their women's programme forward.