Beaman wins women's coaching job in Auckland

Former New Zealand Under-23 captain Sarah Beaman has been appointed coach of the State Auckland Hearts women's team for the 2003-04 season.

Beaman has coached several well-performed teams, including the Northern Region Secondary Schools, Auckland Under-21 and the Parnell club's first XI. Outside cricket she works as a strategic business consultant.

She has a strong cricketing pedigree with her father Jim Kelly (Wellington) and brother Paul (Auckland) both representative cricketers.

Auckland Cricket chief executive Lindsay Crocker described Beaman as a person with a range of skills well-suited to the overall objectives of Auckland Cricket.

"Sarah's well qualified and highly-organised. We're confident she can continue to achieve success for the Hearts in the upcoming season."

The State Auckland Hearts have won the last four State League titles. Beaman replaces outgoing coach Wally Stamp who stepped down from the role after the team's 2002-03 victory in the State League final in Christchurch.