The NSW Breakers will enter the 2025/26 season with fresh momentum and a new leader, with the appointment of Peter Clarke as head coach on a three-year deal.
The announcement marks a new chapter for the Breakers, who went on to claim their 21st Ruth Preddy Cup, despite the departure of former head coach Gavan Twining during the 2024/25 season, following his move to the national set up.
Clarke brings a wealth of experience from across elite cricket environments, having served as the psychologist for the Australian women’s team for the past eight years.
During that time, he has also contributed to the Australian men’s program, as well as both male and female national pathways, building a reputation for his expertise in performance psychology and player development.
In addition to his work at the international level, Clarke spent just shy of a decade as the University of Queensland’s men’s first grade head coach and Director of Cricket, stepping down in 2024 to manage touring commitments.
Speaking about his appointment, Clarke said he was honoured to join the Breakers and excited to help drive the next chapter of the teams’ success.
“I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to join the Breakers. I love Australian women’s cricket, and to get to work with the team who have traditionally been the benchmark for women’s cricket in this country is not something I take for granted.
“Everyone involved with the Breakers has done a phenomenal job of creating a culture that others want to be a part of, and I’m honoured to have the chance to contribute to that.
“Together as a staff and playing group, I’d like to see the Breakers program be universally recognised as world class in the way we prepare, perform, and carry ourselves off the field. We have the resources and people to build a program that is innovative, forward thinking and fosters sustained success.
“Under the leadership of Leah Poulton, the Breakers have put together a great list of players and staff who are highly skilled, motivated, and keen to push boundaries. That’s what excites me, being a part of a group who are driven to keep improving and are open-minded to exploring novel ways to find an edge.”
CNSW Head of Elite Cricket Leah Poulton said Clarke's appointment marks an exciting evolution for the Breakers.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Pete to the Breakers. He brings a wealth of experience in high performance environments, both as a psychologist and a coach, and that unique perspective will be incredibly valuable,” CNSW Head of Female Elite Cricket Leah Poulton said.
“Our ambition is to be world-class in everything we do, from the way we train and prepare, to the way we support our athletes off the field. Pete’s skillset aligns perfectly with that vision, he will be instrumental in helping us continually improve the culture, professionalism and performance of our program.”