Graham Shaw, Vantage Black Sticks Women head coach has decided to return to his homeland of Ireland ending a three-year tenure with the team.
Shaw took up the VBSW role in 2019 bringing his young family to New Zealand from Ireland.
âItâs been a huge honour to guide this team through what has been the most challenging of times for any high-performance team and Iâm proud of how weâve managed those challengesâ said Shaw.
âWeâve loved living in New Zealand, but no-one could have predicted a pandemic back then, let alone how tough it would be to maintain a programme and prepare for events like the Olympics with lockdowns and huge restrictions.
âItâs been a difficult call to make with the Commonwealth Games and World Cup ahead of us this year, but I have had to weigh up whatâs best for our family after being away from home and unable to visit our wider family for so long.
âIt was hard to see myself in the role beyond 2022 especially with the pull of family back in Ireland. Therefore, I thought that itâs important to step away now and let the group set itself for the long term. Weâve assembled a high calibre coaching group around the programme and I know I leave them in good handsâ
Darren Smith, General Manager – High Performance, paid tribute to Shawâs significant contribution to the VBSW programme.
âWe have been privileged to have a coach of Grahamâs quality lead the programme through what have been unprecedented times. We were looking forward to seeing the group continue to build under Grahamâs guidance, however, the difficulties Covid has presented for those living away from home cannot be underestimated and so we understand Grahamâs decision to return to Ireland.â
âGraham is an excellent coach and I know that he will succeed at whatever he does next. He leaves New Zealand with our immense gratitude for the work he has done.â
Smith said the VBSW was in good hands with the new enlarged group of assistant coaches now in place and decisions about a new head coach would be made shortly.
