WA Cricket’s Coach and Officiating Mentoring Program has delivered personalised development opportunities to more than 40 community coaches and umpires across metropolitan and regional Western Australia during the 2025-26 season.
Real Conversations, Real Growth: How WA Cricket Is Supporting Grassroots Coaches and Umpires
WA Cricket’s Coach and Officiating Mentoring Program has delivered personalised development opportunities to more than 40 community coaches and umpires across metropolitan and regional Western Australia during the 2025-26 season.
Proudly supported by the WA Government and delivered by WA Cricket, the program was designed to provide tailored one-on-one mentoring, practical learning opportunities and ongoing support for participants looking to strengthen their coaching and officiating skills within community cricket.
The initiative addressed a recognised gaps in existing education and accreditation pathways by focusing on individual development, reflective practice and real-world support.
Participants engaged in both local and online learning opportunities facilitated by WA Cricket staff and subject matter experts, in collaboration with Cricket Australia. As part of the program, WA Cricket also developed a dedicated online learning portal to support mentors and mentees throughout the season.
Lesmurdie Mazenod Junior Cricket Club coach Mark Bowler said the mentoring experience had provided valuable insights extending beyond technical cricket knowledge.
“Some of the learnings included less ‘crickety’ stuff such as managing parents and conflict, values-based leadership and just being able to catch up one-on-one in a neutral, comfortable environment to chat through recent experiences,” Bowler said.
“The live feedback at games or training sessions is particularly valuable.”
Supporting young umpires was another key focus area of the program, with mentors providing practical guidance and confidence-building support in match environments.
Umpire mentor Paul Henwood said the opportunity to work closely with developing officials had been highly rewarding.
“Being able to support young umpires in the moment through their decision-making process, and then reflecting on that with them, helps us to develop those umpires that are keen to improve, especially those considering progressing through the ranks to Premier cricket,” Henwood said.
WA Cricket Community Cricket Sport Services Manager Tom Atkinson said the program had strengthened connections with coaches and officials across the State while providing valuable feedback to help shape future development opportunities.
“We’ve been able to connect more deeply than ever before with our coaches and umpire groups across WA, and the feedback received has been invaluable in our planning for next season,” he said.
“It has reinforced the importance of tailored, individual support within community cricket.”
The program will conclude with an online co-design session focused on developing a Western Australian approach to Cricket Australia’s new coaching framework, Coach 360.