There is change afoot for the Otago Spirit this season.
Craig Sneddon has taken over the reins as head coach of the Farah Palmer Cup championship side, replacing Scott Manson who coached the team since 2018.
Sneddon is an experienced campaigner, having coached Alhambra-Union for three years, had four years as assistant and head coach of Zingari Richmond, and guided age-group Otago representative teams.
He was the assistant coach for Otago development last season.
"Really happy — obviously really stoked to get the role," Sneddon said.
"Born and bred Otago person so just really keen to get involved and help."
He will be joined by assistant coaches Rodney Stringer and Matt Direen.
Roddy Scoles joins as team manager, former Black Ferns captain and Dunedin performance physio Helen Littleworth is the technical adviser and skills coach, Dee Coulter will be the physio and Marik Boukehil is in charge of strength and conditioning.
There is another big boost for the Spirit, with experienced cricketer Kate Ebrahim joining the ranks.
She takes on the role of cultural and leadership manager, drawing on her years of top-level sport with the Otago Sparks and previously the White Ferns.
They will be wanting to build off last year’s platform, when the Spirit fell at the final hurdle, losing 24-20 to Hawke’s Bay in the championship final.
"The last few years I think they’ve probably been a bit unlucky," Sneddon said.
"Obviously last year they were probably the best team in the championship and didn’t quite get there.
"So just really excited to get involved really and hopefully go one better, that’s the plan."
The high performance group of about 30 players had started training, but there were still opportunities for players to join.
He expected to name an official team sometime after the Dunedin women’s club final on June 17.
The Spirit’s season gets under way on July 22 against Tasman in Nelson. It hosts home games on July 29, August 12, and August 19.
