Former star player Erin Osborne takes over as ACT Meteors head coach

Erin Osborne as the Skipper of the Meteors in 2019. Photo: Region.

Erin Osborne doesn’t see herself as a trailblazer, but instead, feels incredibly grateful for the opportunities offered by Cricket ACT.

She has created plenty of firsts in her relatively short time in the full-time coaching space following her retirement from cricket in 2022.

There was an overlap where she was still playing while coaching, but her rise through the coaching ranks has been impressive.

In 2021 Erin became the first woman to be appointed as the ACT Male Pathways Manager while still playing in the women’s league.

Erin had other roles previously, including a coaching role with the Australian women’s under-19s team and Assistant Coach to Jono Dean with the ACT Meteors.

Tim Gavel with Erin Osborne. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

She has now risen to another level this week with her appointment as the Meteors head coach with Jono Dean taking up the head coach role with the Comets.

Erin will become the first woman to coach the Meteors in the Women’s National Cricket League.

“Cricket ACT is a fantastic organisation to work for,” says Erin.

“I think Olivia Thornton is doing a great job as the CEO. It’s a very supportive organisation and I feel incredibly grateful to receive these opportunities with Cricket ACT.”

Erin is under no illusions about the task ahead with a young squad, accentuated by the departure of veteran Zoe Cooke and the retirement of Angela Reakes.

But Erin is fully aware of the challenges ahead.

“We’ve got a very young talented squad with the likes of Grace Lyons and Amy Hunter, who are still at school. This squad has a great work ethic. Next season will be tough, but the aim is to keep this group together for the next four or five years.”

Erin has plenty of experience to draw from as she has coached younger players with the Australian under-19s and with the Meteors in the assistant coaching role.

“Having had the opportunity to work with young players, I’ve learned that it’s important to support them off the field, as well as creating a holistic team environment. It’s important that the players have a life away from cricket, whether through further studies or courses. The players need to have a balance.”

With experience as an elite player and a pathways coach, Erin has a unique understanding of the pressures young players face. Her empathy and her ability to see the players within a broader life context will build a team with a bright future on and off the field.