JUST weeks after the end of the cricket season, Bangor Cricket Club has made a significant announcement about next season.
Former New Zealand test cricketer Ian Butler has been appointed as the Director of Cricket at the club on a long-term contract.
This is a new role at the club as ‘we seek to build upon recent progress towards becoming a strong and sustainable Premier League club’.
Butler will combine his new role at Bangor with his duties within the Northern Cricket Union, including assistant coach with the Northern Knights.
He has extensive experience as a Director of Cricket and in coaching roles locally and overseas. His most recent overseas appointment was as bowling coach to Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.
Club chairman Peter McIlwaine said Butler’s appointment is an important step for the club. “Ian brings invaluable insight and experience as to what is required to consistently compete as a top club in Ireland,” he said.
“This is one part of a wider programme of development within the club which includes significant investment this winter alongside the rugby club to upgrade our pavilion and facilities.
“The club has made massive strides in the past number of years and is now putting out five senior teams, two women’s teams and multiple boys and girls teams at every age group.
“The pitches and outfield at Upritchard Park have rightly been a big selling point for players wishing to join the club. We are now putting in place the remainder of the infrastructure both with the pavilion and the coaching structure to enable us to continue the club’s development. Ian is a vital part of this plan and we are delighted to have him,“ added Mr McIlwaine.
Butler said he is looking forward to his work with the club which he represented during the recent season. “I believe that we have the culture, facilities and structure to enable the Club to flourish for years to come,” he said.
“I am looking forward to leading the club’s long-term strategy of developing younger emerging talent alongside the more seasoned and experienced players who already add so much to the group. This is definitely a club that I am excited to be around and look forward to what we can achieve together in the future,” he said.
