Sussex said today that it had appointed Keith Greenfield as its first director of cricket.
The Brighton-born former batsman will oversee all aspects of the professional game in the county, Sussex Cricket said today (Thursday 21 January).
On-field performance will remain the responsibility of head coach Mark Davis, who will report to 47-year-old Greenfield.
Sussex Cricket said: “The new role will see Greenfield implementing the Sussex Cricket strategy, with the key aspects including reviewing the quality of coaching, systems and processes.
“He will also work closely with Tim Shutt, managing director of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, who is currently responsible for participation and community cricket, to realise strategic objectives in participation and community cricket.”
Greenfield, who played 78 first-class matches and 160 List A games for Sussex in a playing career spanning 12 years, has for the past decade been the club’s cricket performance manager.
The job encompassed the role of academy director which has seen him manage and develop the Academy and Youth Squads.
Greenfield joined Sussex in 1985 on the Youth Opportunity Scheme and progressed to the professional staff in 1987.
He scored over 7,300 runs for Sussex in all formats, with his highest score of 154 not out coming in the County Championship match with Glamorgan at Hove in 1996. In the same year he was awarded his county cap. He was awarded a testimonial year in 2004.
In light of the appointment, club coach Carl Hopkinson will now assume the role of academy director.
Hopkinson played 184 matches across three formats for Sussex and was a key part of the 2006 County Championship-winning side.
He has been club coach at Hove since retiring from the game in 2009 and will continue his involvement within the first-team environment as a specialist fielding coach.
Sussex chairman Jim May said: “The appointment of Keith is a key one which will ensure that the integration of the professional club and the recreational board in November 2015 helps develop our player pathway for both male and female cricketers.
“In his previous role, Keith was responsible for our academy, which received top marks in the last ECB evaluation, as well as our evolving relationships with Guernsey and Oxford Cricket Boards.
“The board were unanimous in agreeing that Keith has the qualities to succeed in this new role.”
Sussex chief executive Zac Toumazi said: “I am delighted that Keith has accepted the role. We believe that he will bring his extensive experience in both professional and club cricket to drive improvements for Sussex Cricket.
“His commitment and calm approach makes him the perfect candidate for this role which will focus on the implementation of the Sussex strategy to put cricket at the heart of our community.
“We are also thrilled to see Carl Hopkinson taking over from Keith to build on the excellent work he has done with the Academy.
“He can now bring his own style and expertise to help develop the next generation of Sussex’s players.”
Greenfield said: “I am hugely excited and feel very honoured to be offered this fantastic opportunity.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Mark Davis and Tim Shutt on the wide range of opportunities we have to make a lasting difference to the quality delivered at all levels within the Sussex Cricket strategy.”
