Amy Satterthwaite named Canterbury Women's head coach for 2024-25
Synopsis
Amy Satterthwaite — the only cricketer alongside Kumar Sangakkara to score centuries in four successive ODIs — has swapped batting gloves for a coaching brief, taking charge of Canterbury Women for 2024-25. She is the sole woman leading a New Zealand domestic side this summer, bringing a 20-year playing legacy and WBBL coaching experience to the role.
Key Takeaways
Amy Satterthwaite has been appointed head coach of Canterbury Women for the 2024-25 domestic season.
She is the only woman leading a New Zealand domestic cricket side this summer.
Satterthwaite succeeds Rhys Morgan , who spent six years in charge and won two Super Smash titles and the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield .
She scored 5,147 runs for Canterbury and holds the province record for T20 runs (2,925) , still unbeaten.
She is the only woman — alongside Kumar Sangakkara — to score centuries in four successive ODIs .
Brendon Donkers has been confirmed as permanent head coach of Canterbury's men's side after an interim stint.
Former New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite has been appointed head coach of Canterbury Women for the upcoming domestic season, making her the only woman to lead a New Zealand domestic cricket side this summer. The announcement was made on 13 August from Christchurch.
A Return to Her Cricketing Home
Satterthwaite spent two decades representing Canterbury before retiring from domestic cricket after the 2022-23 season. She returns to the province where she built the core of her playing legacy, succeeding Rhys Morgan, who spent six years as head coach. Morgan guided Canterbury Women to two Super Smash titles — in 2020-21 and 2022-23 — as well as the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in 2020-21.
Satterthwaite's Coaching Journey
After calling time on her New Zealand international career in 2022, Satterthwaite moved into coaching as an assistant with the Adelaide Strikers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She returned to Canterbury last December as the women's pathway lead before now stepping up to take charge of the senior side.
A Record-Breaking Playing Career
Satterthwaite's appointment carries significant weight given her on-field record. She amassed 5,147 runs for Canterbury — a total that stood as the province's all-time record before Frankie Mackay eventually surpassed it. Her 2,925 T20 runs for Canterbury remain unmatched by any player in the province's history.
At international level, she played 145 ODIs and 111 T20Is across 15 years with New Zealand. She is the only woman — and one of only two cricketers alongside Kumar Sangakkara — to have scored centuries in four successive ODIs, a feat that underscores her standing in the global game.
Men's Side Also Gets a New Permanent Coach
Brendon Donkers has been confirmed as the full-time head coach of Canterbury's men's team, the defending Plunket Shield champions. Donkers had previously served as assistant to Peter Fulton, who departed mid-season to take charge of Middlesex. After stepping in on an interim basis and guiding the side through the remainder of the campaign, Donkers has now been handed the permanent role.
With both the men's and women's programmes under new full-time leadership, Canterbury Cricket enters the new domestic season with a fresh coaching structure at every level.
Point of View
Structured transition rather than a tokenistic hire. The real question is whether Canterbury Women, under her leadership, can challenge for silverware that eluded them under Morgan's latter years. If they do, it strengthens the case for more ex-international women moving into senior coaching roles across New Zealand cricket — a pipeline that remains thin.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amy Satterthwaite and why is her appointment significant?
Amy Satterthwaite is a former New Zealand women's cricket captain who played 145 ODIs and 111 T20Is over 15 years. Her appointment as Canterbury Women's head coach makes her the only woman leading a New Zealand domestic cricket side in the 2024-25 summer season.
Who did Amy Satterthwaite replace as Canterbury Women's head coach?
She succeeds Rhys Morgan, who spent six years as head coach and guided Canterbury Women to two Super Smash titles (2020-21 and 2022-23) and the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield in 2020-21.
What coaching experience does Satterthwaite bring to the role?
After retiring from international cricket in 2022, Satterthwaite served as an assistant coach with the Adelaide Strikers in the Women's Big Bash League. She rejoined Canterbury in December as the women's pathway lead before being elevated to head coach.
What is the unique batting record Amy Satterthwaite holds?
Satterthwaite is the only woman — and one of only two cricketers alongside Kumar Sangakkara — to have scored centuries in four consecutive ODIs. She also amassed 5,147 runs for Canterbury and holds the province's all-time T20 runs record with 2,925.
What change has been made to Canterbury's men's coaching setup?
Brendon Donkers has been confirmed as the permanent head coach of the Canterbury men's team, the defending Plunket Shield champions. He had served in an interim capacity after Peter Fulton departed mid-season to coach Middlesex.
