Guildford Cricket Club Announces New Director of Cricket

Published on: 8 Oct, 2026
Updated on: 8 Oct, 2026

Jamie Atkins, new director of cricket at GCC

By Chad Murrin and Don Starr

Guildford Cricket Club have appointed Jamie Atkins as their new director of cricket.

He succeeds Olly Birts, who has taken up the position of Managing Director at Spencer Cricket Club in Earlsfield, South West London.

Jamie (24) is a former professional cricketer with Sussex CCC. He played at Roffey CC in Horsham progressing through county age-group teams. A tall, right-arm fast medium bowler he made his first-class cricket debut aged 18 in 2021. However, after a long battle with injuries, he was forced to retire from professional cricket in 2023.

In all, he played eight first-class matches for Sussex with a career bowling tally of 24 wickets at an average of 30.12. His best bowling of 5-51 was against Kent at Canterbury in July 2021 in his fourth Championship match, having taken 5-98 in his previous game against Yorkshire at Headingley in June 2021.

Jamie joined Guildford Cricket Club in 2026 as Head Coach working alongside Olly Birts. His ambition is a career in cricket coaching and development. His promotion to the Director of Cricket role is an important step. He will oversee the club’s men’s, women’s and junior cricket programmes, working with coaches and age-group managers.

Jamie’s strengths are said to include his notably enthusiastic and positive attitude, his experience in professional cricket and then in coaching, and his communication and administration skills. During 2027, the club will support him to study for the ECB Advanced Coach (1st4sport Level 3) Course.

Commenting on his appointment Jamie said: “I’m very pleased to be taking on the role of director of cricket at Guildford. The club is in a great place following the fantastic work of Olly Birts, who was a great mentor in my role of head coach.

“There are so many great people at the club whom I look forward to working with on a more frequent basis. I’m excited for the future of the club ranging from our juniors to our senior men’s and women’s teams.”