CRICKET NEWS - The leadership structures of South Western Districts Cricket has put a vote of confidence in the coaching staff of the Garden Route Badgers professional men's and women's coaching staff.

The men's coaching staff - consisting of the head coach, Lotle Sesele, the assistant coach, Warren Bell and the strength and conditioning coach, Tyler Easton - will have an addition of two years to their existing contracts until April 2028. 

The men's team had a much improved performance across all the formats over the past season and the aim will be to achieve promotion to Division 1 after conclusion of the 2027/28 season. 

The calculation for promotion and relegation will run over a period of two seasons.

Wynand de Ridder has been retained as head coach of the Garden Route Badgers women's team, that will remain in the Cricket South Africa Hollywoodbets Pro series next season. The contracts of both Yolandi van der Westhuizen (assistant coach) and Gabi-Lee van der Westhuizen (strength and conditioning coach) were also extended.

Promotion and relegation in the Hollywoodbets Pro series takes place at the conclusion of each season. The North West Dragons has been relegated after the past season while Eastern Province gained promotion.

The chairperson of the board, Michael Eksteen, has confirmed the vote of confidence in the coaching staff and said the best suitable personnel were appointed to further the performances of the flagship teams on the playing field.

The CEO, Albertus Kennedy, has confirmed that the contracting process for both the men's and women's teams will be finalised within the next week. "We are looking forward to exciting additions to our playing component for next season."

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