Westwood: First interview with Bears’ new First Team Coach

Warwickshire coaching restructure after High Performance Review and need to embrace new professional teams

“I’ve fallen in love with coaching here at Warwickshire. We’ve got a really talented squad. I want to put my stamp on the team to help them fulfil their potential.”

briggford

2025-02-17T12:37:13.000Z

In his first interview as Warwickshire First Team Coach, Ian Westwood has spoken of his pride at being given the opportunity to lead his home County.

Westwood is a one-Club man having progressed from the youth pathway to Captain the side and play a prominent role (771 runs, 42.83 ave) in the 2012 County Championship success.

He retired as a player in 2017 – having made more than 250 Bears appearances across all formats – and has since risen through the coaching ranks at Edgbaston.

He started as Development Coach – where Westwood was tasked with bringing through young talent like Dan Mousley, Jacon Bethell and Rob Yates – before promotion to Second XI Coach and Assistant First Team Coach.

The 42-year-old – who’s coached with UAE franchise side Sharjah Warriors in the IL20 – said it feels like a natural progression and a challenge he’s excited about.

“The overriding emotion is excitement,” said Westwood. “I’m hugely proud to be given the opportunity to lead a Club I’m so fond of. I’ve been here since a boy and held down several roles. This feels like a great challenge and great chance to test myself again.

“The season is coming around quickly but I still have time to make a difference, Our pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi is soon and will give us a chance to bring all the squad back together, start having some good discussions.”

Westwood: First interview with Bears’ new First Team Coach - Image 2

Westwood was Sharjah Warriors’ Assistant Coach during the IL20 working with international stars including Ashton Agar, Johnson Charles, Keemo Paul, and Tim Southee.

He believes the experience will help this season as he integrates overseas additions Tom Latham, Beau Webster, Vishwa Fernando and Hassan Ali into the side.

“At the IL20 you have 10 internationals in your team,” he added. “So every team you face is full of superstars. It’s demanding to coach in an environment like that and have an impact. You need to get to know the players quickly and bring them together.

“Hopefully some of the things I’ve learned there, working with the world’s best players and coaches, will help me here.

“And after his international retirement, we’ll effectively have a new signing in Moeen Ali available for whole of Vitality Blast campaign. He’s a world class player with bat and ball, so to have him around and his experience for the full T20 Blast will be invaluable.

“Being asked to be Warwickshire’s First Team Coach is the proudest moment of my career. But it is a bittersweet one with Robbo departing. He’s always been supportive of myself and the wider staff.

“He’s a humble guy, good to be around, and a great man-manager. I wish him all the best with whatever he does next. I’m sure he’ll be a success wherever he goes.”