German Women’s National Cricket Team
“It’s Completely Changed Our Approach to Developing Cricketers”
With players spread across the country and a limited budget, the German National Women’s Cricket Team needed a remote strength & conditioning solution that delivered elite-level results—without the cost of an in-person coach. Cricket Matters provided a structured, data-driven approach that has transformed the team’s fitness, resilience, and on-field performance.
At a Glance
- Team: German National Women’s Cricket Team
- Industry: International Cricket
- Athletes Managed: 24
- Coaching Started: 2025
- Key Result: Seamlessly managing player training remotely, integrating pain & behavioral screening, and increasing engagement across the squad—leading to a fitter, more resilient team.
The Challenge: A Growing Team with Limited Resources
Cricket is still an emerging sport in Germany, and while the national women’s team had talent and dedication, they faced a major obstacle: a lack of access to full-time strength and conditioning coaching.
Unlike larger cricketing nations with dedicated S&C staff on-site, Germany’s players were spread across different locations, making in-person training impractical.
Additionally, with a limited budget, hiring a full-time in-house S&C coach wasn’t feasible. The team needed an effective, remote solution that would improve fitness levels, reduce injuries, and enhance performance—without the cost of a full-time support staff.
Now we’ve got the evidence to support our observations, which is really cool for thinking about potential for players moving forward.
– Ali Waldron, Head Coach
Before Cricket Matters
- No Dedicated Strength & Conditioning Support – With players spread across the country and limited resources, hiring a full-time S&C coach wasn’t an option.
- Fitness & Recovery Gaps – Players had inconsistent training routines, leading to avoidable injuries, fatigue, and lack of physical preparedness for international competition.
- Lack of Screening & Monitoring – Without structured pain and behavioral screenings, players often trained through discomfort or ineffective programs, affecting long-term performance.
- Limited Engagement & Accountability – Without centralized coaching, team-wide consistency was missing. Players needed a system that kept them engaged, accountable, and progressing.
These challenges were holding the team back from reaching their full potential. They needed a remote, structured, and cost-effective solution—one that elevated fitness standards without draining resources.
After Cricket Matters
Cricket Matters introduced a data-driven, remote coaching model that revolutionized how the German National Women’s Cricket Team trained:
- Custom Strength & Conditioning Programs – Each player received personalised fitness plans tailored to their role, fitness level, and individual needs.
- Pain & Behavior Screening – Regular check-ins and movement assessments identified injury risks early, ensuring players trained smarter, not harder.
- Structured Remote Training – By integrating digital programming and virtual coaching, we provided the accountability and structure needed for consistent progress.
- Increased Team Buy-In & Engagement – With clear, trackable progress metrics, players became more engaged, motivated, and proactive about their training.
- Cost-Effective Elite Coaching – The team now benefits from high-performance coaching at a fraction of the cost of an in-person S&C coach.
Coach’s Perspective: Why This System Works for Us
“As with all European countries with cricket, our budget is tight, and we need to get the biggest bang for our buck. To have a system that looks at both the physical and mental health of our players is so, so important.”
- Make Data-Driven Selections – We now have hard evidence to support coaching decisions, ensuring players get selected based on measurable potential.
- Reduce Injury Risks – Understanding chronic issues ensures we focus on players who are consistently fit and available.
- Improve Behavioral Insights – Sleep, nutrition, and recovery data help us better support our squad, bringing in the right experts at the right time.
“It’s completely changed our approach to developing cricketers.”
Ali Waldron – Head Coach
The Practitioner Behind the System
Built by Someone Accountable for the Decisions.
Cricket Matters isn’t a collection of services. It’s a performance system designed to guide better decisions — over seasons, not sessions.
I’m James Breese, founder of Cricket Matters and a sports therapist working at the intersection of coaching, training, and rehabilitation in cricket.
I’ve coached players.
I’ve prepared athletes.
I’ve treated injuries.
And I still play the game.
That matters — because the decisions inside this system aren’t theoretical. They’re based on what actually breaks players, what keeps them on the field, and what allows improvement to hold up in matches and across seasons.
Cricket Matters exists to remove guesswork. I’m accountable for the thinking behind it.
— James Breese
Founder, Cricket Matters
Choose Your Starting Point
Start in the Right Place.
Every cricketer starts with assessment — to identify what’s limiting progress before training or coaching begins.
If pain or injury is involved, begin with an injury assessment.
If not, performance assessment is the correct entry point.
If you’re unsure, a free 20-minute clarity call will guide you.