Cricket Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Austin-Smellie as Performance Coach, working across both the Wellington Firebirds and Wellington Blaze setups.

The appointment comes after a successful stint as Assistant Coach for the Blaze during their 2024/25 Super Smash campaign, where Austin-Smellie played a key role in the team’s performance and development.

Austin-Smellie, a former Firebirds player, has experience across the domestic coaching space, as well as with clubs. Prior to his work with the Blaze, he served as a Specialist Resource Coach for the Otago Volts during the 2023/24 season and has been heavily involved in Wellington’s high-performance pathways, contributing to both the men’s and women’s Wellington A programmes.

His coaching journey has also included influential roles at Wellington College and Karori Cricket Club, where he has helped nurture emerging talent.

Reflecting on his new role, Austin-Smellie said: “It’s a privilege to continue working within the Wellington cricket system in this expanded capacity. Having been involved with the Blaze last summer and seeing the quality of players and staff across both the Firebirds and Blaze, I’m really excited to contribute to the development of our high-performance environment.”

Cricket Wellington’s GM of Performance, Dave Wildash, praised Austin-Smellie’s impact: “Joe has shown great insight, energy, and tactical understanding in his time with the Blaze. His ability to connect with players and drive performance makes him a valuable addition to our coaching staff across both teams. We’re looking forward to seeing his influence grow in this new role.”

As Performance Coach, Austin-Smellie will work closely with players and fellow coaches to enhance skill development, preparation, and in-game strategy for Wellington’s premier teams.

With the domestic season approaching, Austin-Smellie’s expanded responsibilities will be crucial as both the Firebirds and Blaze look to build on recent successes and continue producing players for the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.

Article added: Thursday 17 July 2025