Former Jersey coach Hogan to help Guernsey cricket this summer

He will be assistant to director of cricket Jeremy Frith with the men’s national squad as well as help across the age groups from the youngest cricketers up to the seniors.

The position, which has been privately funded, has been put together in partnership with Elizabeth College, where Hogan will be first XI coach and support Tom Eisenhuth, the EC director of sport, with their wider cricket programme.

‘I am thrilled Craig has accepted the invitation to be with us for the summer and I know he’ll add a huge amount to the whole cricketing landscape in the island,’ Frith said.

‘It is also an appointment for the whole programme. It’s a fabulous coup for Guernsey Cricket and I am personally indebted to some important people in the background who have enabled this to happen, as well as our long-standing partnership with Elizabeth College.

‘Across the staff and all the volunteers we are committed to driving the entire cricket programme forwards and securing Craig is another demonstration of that commitment.’

Well known in the Channel Islands due to his previous work as Jersey head coach, Hogan has also been the Cricket Ireland academy director before he moved back to his native Australia to work for Cricket Victoria as a coach and talent specialist before returning to Wollongong, New South Wales where he has continued to coach since.

He is currently working within the Cricket New South Wales Academy programme and will temporarily relinquish those responsibilities to work with Guernsey.

‘I am absolutely delighted to be offered this role and sincerely wish to thank Guernsey Cricket, Elizabeth College and our sponsors who have made this fantastic opportunity possible.

‘To have the chance to work with Tom, the students and staff at Elizabeth College to help grow the cricket programmes within the College is very exciting.

‘I am thrilled also to be working closely with Carl [Brooks], Frithy and Ollie [Nightingale] to support the players of the senior squads in such a busy and important season for Guernsey cricket.

‘For many years I have followed closely Guernsey cricket’s journey and after much hard work by so many people, it’s brilliant to see such a solid platform now in place on which to build.

‘I am really looking forward to forming great relationships with the Board, staff, coaches, volunteers, parents and players across the whole spectrum of Guernsey cricket. It’s going to be a super summer.’

Guernsey Cricket Board interim chief executive Brooks added: ‘Craig will bring some important extra capability and capacity to the game in Guernsey.

‘As well as working with College, he will be visible across the breadth of our cricket programmes, from inspiring youngsters to get involved with the game through to working with our elite international squads

‘I’m grateful to the team who has worked so hard with me to put this exciting opportunity together.’

New Guernsey men’s team captain Nightingale called it another positive step.

‘It’s great Hoges wants to be involved,’ he said.

‘He has obviously worked with Jersey in the past so to get someone in from the outside who has all the experience of associate cricket can only benefit us further.

‘I am looking forwards to working with both Hoges and Frithy as we continue to build on the foundations we have already put in place.’