New manager an asset to grow game in the region

Newly appointed Great Southern regional cricket manager Josh Duane has wasted no time diving into his new role.

Announced by the Western Australian Cricket Association as the replacement for experienced coach Ross Stephen, Duane moved to Albany from Perth last Wednesday and was immediately in the thick of the action at the launch of Albany's first T20 Blast centre on Friday evening.

The 24-year-old recently returned from a successful stint as a junior coach and overseas player for Frindsbury Cricket Club in Kent in the UK and has eight years coaching experience at Guildford Grammar as a level-one coach.

Duane said he was excited about the centre, introducing more than 100 children to cricket.

"To be able to help junior cricket in the country was a major part of why I wanted to take on the role," he said.

"With in2cricket and T20 Blast, it's easy for kids to get involved and the pathways are really clear."

Duane said the number of girls taking up cricket in the region was also impressive.

"We want to build on that," he said.

WACA country cricket manager Steve Philippe said Duane would be an asset to growing cricket in the region.