James Cameron-Dow returns to NCU as Women & Girls Pathway Lead

The NCU is delighted to announce the appointment of JCD as our new Women & Girls Pathway Lead.

JCD returns to the NCU with a wealth of experience in the women’s game, having previously played an important role in the development of the Union’s pathway before progressing into the international game with Cricket Ireland.

A former Ireland international, JCD played one Test and four ODI’s before moving into coaching. He was appointed Ireland Women’s National Spin Bowling Coach in 2024, working with the senior squad and emerging talent within the international pathway. He has also coached in the Women’s Super Series, including as Head Coach of the Dragons.

His return represents an exciting opportunity for the NCU to build on the progress made in recent seasons and further strengthen the structures supporting female cricketers across the Union.

JCD succeeds Jonathan Waite, who is moving into a new role with Cricket Ireland following his time leading the NCU’s women’s and girls’ pathway.

Rachael Thomas, NCU Board Member and lead of the Union’s Women & Girls review, said:

“We are delighted with the news that James Cameron-Dow will be joining the NCU as our Women & Girls Pathway Lead. We are excited to see the impact James will have and have no doubt that his work in recent years with the Irish Senior Women’s side has further strengthened his already impressive knowledge and experience of the women’s and girls’ game, both across Ireland and internationally.

I also want to extend our sincere thanks to Jonathan Waite for his dedication and passion in developing the female game during his time in the role. Jonathan did a fantastic job of growing our pathway programmes and we are delighted with the progress our representative sides have made in recent seasons under his leadership. We wish Jonathan all the best in his new role with Cricket Ireland.

We are now at a pivotal inflection point for women’s and girls’ cricket in the NCU, and it is imperative that we maintain and build upon the momentum gathered in recent years. As we embark on an NCU-wide women’s and girls’ cricket review and action plan development, the NCU, our clubs, and our players will need to work together to clearly define, strengthen, and champion the future of female cricket across the Union.”

Simon Johnston, NCU lead for athlete management and representative cricket, added:

“I want to thank Jonny for the huge amount of work he has put into the women’s and girls’ programme during his time with the NCU. In particular, the development of our pathway programmes and the organisation of representative tours have provided invaluable opportunities and experiences for our players. We are grateful for his commitment and wish him every success in his new role with Cricket Ireland.

“JCD brings a fantastic understanding of the performance game and we are looking forward to working with him across our representative programme. His experience within the Ireland set-up will be hugely valuable as we continue to support players through our age-group squads and into senior cricket.”

The Women & Girls Pathway Lead will oversee the development and delivery of the NCU’s representative programme, from regional age-group cricket through to the Senior Women, while working closely with clubs, schools, coaches and other stakeholders to support the continued growth of the female game.

With JCD returning to the NCU and a wider review of women’s and girls’ cricket now underway, the Union is looking forward to building on the foundations already in place and creating further opportunities for female cricketers at every level of the game.