Ali Maiden Appointed as First Head Coach

Ali Maiden, who served as England's assistant coach during their 2017 ODI World Cup victory, will depart from Yorkshire's men's team at the season's end to take on the role of head coach for Bears Women.

While Maiden has mainly been involved in men's cricket in recent years, he recently worked as an assistant coach under Ashley Noffke when London Spirit won the Hundred. He revealed that he had been actively pursuing a return to the women’s game. Maiden is set to join the Bears—based at Edgbaston—on November 1, where he will begin preparations for the 2025 season.

Maiden expressed his enthusiasm about the new role, stating that he is thrilled to join Bears Women at the start of their journey. After speaking with several people at the club, he noted their strong passion for women's cricket and their commitment to building a successful team and promoting the sport among women and girls. Having held various coaching and head coach positions, Maiden shared that he had been seeking the right opportunity to re-engage with women’s cricket.

The Bears, managed by Warwickshire, are one of the eight 'Tier 1' teams set to compete in England's new domestic women’s cricket structure from 2025. Laura MacLeod will serve as their director of cricket, and the team has already confirmed the signings of five players: Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Chloe Brewer, Katie George, and Charis Pavely.

Maiden will conclude his three-year tenure with Yorkshire's men’s team, where he worked closely with the batters. Colin Graves, the club’s chair, expressed his gratitude for Maiden’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.