STAGS COACH GLENN POCKNALL STEPS DOWN
The Central Stags will be heading into the forthcoming cricket season under an interim coach, with incumbent Head Coach Glenn Pocknall deciding to step down from his role.
Pocknall has guided the Stags through their Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy campaigns for the past two seasons, and has also served as the team’s Super Smash Assistant Coach — the trophy the Stags won last summer, under T20 Head Coach Ben Smith.
Pocknall said the decision was “not an easy one, especially when you’re doing something you genuinely love, which is certainly my feeling.
Coaches Pocknall (left) and Aldin Smith
with the 2023 Ford Trophy | CDCA
“It’s been a rewarding experience to work alongside such great people and seeing the improvement in everyone, and the environment grow, has been a big highlight.
“Over the past two years I’ve really valued the opportunity to lead the team and contribute to CD’s goals, and now the time is right for a change.”
Pocknall has spent the last four years on the Central Districts Cricket staff, having initially joined as a pathway and performance coach in 2022, whilst Rob Walter was in charge of the Stags.
MBUTCHER
When Walter was appointed as white-ball Head Coach of South Africa men in January 2023, Pocknall slotted back into high performance cricket in an Assistant Coach role for the Stags, who went on to win both the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy double at the end of that season.
Pocknall had already been the Wellington Firebirds’ Head Coach for several years prior to joining Central Districts, and had also coached the BLACKCAPS in a fill-in role for the 2021 tour of Bangladesh, as well as the New Zealand A men’s team in New Zealand.
While at CD, he also took winter sabbaticals to act as a consultant coach for Scotland men.
PHOTOSPORT
Central Districts CEO Lance Hamilton said the organisation would be seeking to appoint an all-format Head Coach of the Central Stags ahead of the 2026/27 season, with an interim coaching appointment to be made for this summer’s one-day and first-class campaigns.
UK-based T20 Head Coach Ben Smith will return as Super Smash Head Coach this season as the team seeks to back up last summer’s national title.
PHOTOSPORT
Hamilton thanked Pocknall for his time with CD Cricket, and said both the Stags and organisation as a whole had enjoyed his calm, steady approach to professional cricket.
“Glenn is very passionate about coaching and getting the best out of those around him,” Hamilton said.
“We would sincerely like to thank Glenn for his contribution to the organisation over the past four years, and wish him and his young family all the best for the future.”
The Central Stags begin the 2025/26 season on 25 October (Labour Weekend Saturday) with the opening round of the one-day Ford Trophy at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, against the Wellington Firebirds.
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Article added: Tuesday 30 September 2025
