THE Somerset Women’s assistant coach and lead bowling coach James Schofield first became involved with the county as part of the Western Storm coaching team - and has been here ever since.

“I started with Western Storm in May 2023 so it’s three years now with the transfer over to Somerset,” he said.

“Western Storm was really nomadic and it never felt like we were part of a club; there was no home, and we didn’t have any roots at all which made it tough for the players and the staff - it was lonely.

“The transition over to Somerset and the welcome we got, as well as the resources that went into us immediately made us feel we were wanted and valued. Somerset have fully bought into it and having played here and knowing what the place is like we just felt so much at home.”

After a difficult first season in Tier 1 Somerset have enjoyed considerable success in 2026, in both the Vitality Blast T20 and the Metro Bank 50 over competitions.

“With Erin Osborne coming in this year there is a very different approach and a refreshing way of doing things,” he added. “There is complete and utter clarity within the group in terms of expectations and what we are asking them to do. Nothing is over complicated- it’s very simple and what the players have now got is complete and utter transparency and trust. They know what they are being measured on, they know what is being asked of them, because they have been talked to about it

“There is also a very positive process of messaging, and dealing with the players which empowers them much more - they have to do more for themselves but ultimately it’s their careers. We are here to help them; we are here to facilitate and we are fully invested in that.

“But the added element is that it’s their career and you are going to drive it and the way you go about things and we have given them that. We are keeping it very simple and everybody knows what their roles are and they know what they are doing.”

He went on: “Oz is the coach - she has been there and done it and they can look at her as a role model and that does make a big difference. When she speaks it’s very simple language and it’s short and sharp and condensed but everyone understands.

“They have been able to grow as people as well because what they are doing is being able to drive a lot of what is going on because they have been enabled to, but there is that over arching scaffolding that is there that’s been brought in by Oz and being reinforced by the coaches.

“It’s giving the players the freedom to express themselves much more, driving the things that they are doing, but knowing full well that you have got to perform.

“The atmosphere and the environment is very much - what can I do that’s going to make myself better but also what can I do that’s going to make the team better. They may sound obvious things but they are not always in place,

“They are a very young group but very exciting and not only are they competing but they are winning, so the team is in a very good place.”