Warwickshire use Rooney Rule in search for Jim Troughton replacement as head coach
Warwickshire adopting principles of Rooney Rule in bid to find Jim Troughton's successor; Troughton spent 15 years at Warwickshire as a player and stepped down as head coach after three years in charge
Tuesday 3 November 2020 16:55, UK
Warwickshire have become the first county to use the Rooney Rule as they step up their search for a replacement for head coach Jim Troughton.
Pioneered by the former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and former chairman of the NFL's diversity committee, the late Dan Rooney, the rule requires teams to interview at least one ethnic minority candidate for head coaching or senior operational positions should they receive an application from someone suitably qualified.
Warwickshire said they are adopting the Rooney Rule's principles as part of their commitment to representing the community they serve by employing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
The county's chief executive Stuart Cain told Sky Sports News: "Warwickshire is in the middle of Birmingham, which is one of Europe's most diverse cities.
"So you've really got to hold a mirror up to yourself and ask if your playing staff and back office staff represent the communities that you do serve, and being honest, they don't at the moment.
"So what we're trying to do is look across the board from the academy and youngsters, through to the back office staff, through to the professional players, through to the coaching team and the board - how do we get that diversity and representation in place? So for us, the Rooney Rule is probably a small step on a long journey about how you try to do that.
"But you've got to start somewhere, and I know for some people it's not a perfect solution, but all we're trying to do is make sure that anyone who has the experience isn't put off from applying because of what they may or may not think the world of cricket is like."
Former Bears captain Troughton left his role last week after just over three years in charge following Warwickshire's elimination in the group stages of the Bob Willis Trophy and Vitality Blast last season.
Director of cricket and former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace is set to take charge of Warwickshire's winter training programme, alongside bowling coach Graeme Welch, batting coach Tony Frost and second-team coach Ian Westwood.
Farbrace is convinced Warwickshire will have no shortage of interest in the vacant head coach position at Edgbaston.
"Everyone at the club is excited by the opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to Edgbaston as well as a proven ability to create trophy-winning Warwickshire teams that play exciting, positive cricket.
"That experience could have come from developing winning teams anywhere in the world at a domestic or international level. Due to Warwickshire CCC's reputation within world cricket we are confident that there will be interest from a number of high calibre candidates."
