Ben Sawyer Ends Four-Year Stint as New Zealand Women Head Coach
On September 18, 2026, New Zealand Cricket revealed that White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer‘s contract would not be renewed, ending his four-year stint. His contract would have expired in December 2026.
The decision was made following a thorough examination of the women’s high-performance structure. This approach found that the program will require a new leadership model in the future, including the creation of a new Performance Lead role. Rachel Pettit’s position as Manager was also eliminated as part of the restructure.
Ben Sawyer assumed control of the White Ferns in June 2022.
Over the next four years, the squad won a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024. Georgia Plimmer, Eden Carson, and Izzy Gaze, all of whom signed central contracts around the time Ben Sawyer joined, were among the players who went on to win World Cups under his supervision.
What does NZC’s decision mean for the programme’s future direction?
New Zealand Cricket stated unequivocally that the reorganization reflects a purposeful adjustment in how the White Ferns program will be led, rather than a disagreement with Sawyer’s personal conduct or effort.
What are the verified next stages in the White Ferns’ coaching setup?
An temporary head coach and team manager will be appointed to oversee the White Ferns’ T20I series in Australia, which begins next month. The roster for that tour is likely to be announced in early October 2026.
NZC indicated that recruitment for the permanent head coach position and the new Performance Lead role will begin soon. No timeline for finishing either appointment has been set.
