Southern Brave’s women’s team will move into 2026 with a coaching setup that brings together fresh direction and genuine Brave connection.

Jonathan Batty has been appointed Head Coach, with Anya Shrubsole joining as Assistant Coach. It is a partnership that gives the women’s programme two important strengths: experience from major competitions and a deep understanding of what Southern Brave means on the South Coast.

Batty arrives with a respected coaching background and experience of working with players who are now part of the Brave squad. His approach is built around clarity, adaptability and player development, all vital in a competition that keeps getting stronger.

The women’s Hundred has grown sharply. Squads are deeper, overseas players have raised the standard and young domestic players are being asked to take on bigger roles. In that environment, good coaching is about more than tactics. It is about creating trust, giving players clear roles and helping a group respond quickly when a match changes.

That is where Batty’s experience will be important.

Shrubsole brings a different kind of value. Her connection to South Coast cricket and the Brave environment gives the coaching group a strong local and emotional link. She understands the club, the region and the standards attached to the women’s game here.

For players, that matters. Shrubsole’s leadership and experience can help bridge the gap between the dressing room, the coaching group and the wider identity of Southern Brave.

Together, Batty and Shrubsole inherit a squad with real variety. There are retained leaders, world-class overseas names and younger players ready to grow into the competition. That mix needs careful handling, but it also gives the Brave plenty to work with.

The aim will be to build a team that plays with clarity and carries the Brave identity with pride. Southern Brave’s women’s side has already created a strong connection with supporters. The next stage is about strengthening that bond while continuing to compete at the top end of the tournament.

For the Brave family, this coaching team brings both familiarity and freshness.

Batty provides the structure. Shrubsole provides the connection. Together, they will help shape what comes next.