Munster Reds and Munster Heat Head Coach, as well as Munster Cricket Union Pathway Manager, Jeremy Bray is heading back to his native Australia this week to further his coaching development within one of the world’s most respected cricket systems.
Bray will spend time with the New South Wales (NSW) cricket setup, reconnecting with colleagues and immersing himself in high-performance environments that have consistently produced international talent. His trip underlines his commitment to ensuring that youth development in Munster continues to progress and that young players are given the tools to reach their full potential.
“The development of our youth players is crucial to the future of cricket in Munster,” Bray explained. “This trip is all about broadening my own knowledge and bringing back insights that can help our players and coaches here in Ireland.”
Focus on the Mental Side of the Game
A central objective of Bray’s trip will be to explore the psychological side of high-performance cricket. He is particularly looking forward to an opportunity to meet up with Peter Clark, Head Coach of the NSW Breakers. Clark is widely respected for his background in performance psychology, having worked with the Australian women’s team for eight years, as well as contributing to the Australian men’s programme and national pathways.
“I’m really hopeful to be able to link up with Peter,” Bray said. “He has a wealth of experience in high-performance cricket, and I want to understand more about his philosophies around visualisation and mental preparedness. These are areas that can make a huge difference to our young Munster players.”
Learning from Elite Players and Coaches
Bray will also spend time with the NSW Blues men’s squad, which includes world-class players such as Nathan Lyon—a cricketer Bray knows from his time with the ACT Comets.
“Generational players like Nathan Lyon offer real insights into how we can mould our own young Munster players into stars of the future,” he reflected.
Additionally, Bray is eager to learn from Greg Shipperd, Head Coach of the Blues and one of the most respected figures in Australian cricket.
“Greg is one of the most renowned coaches in Australia,” Bray noted. “Understanding his methods and how he gets the best out of his players is a major goal for me. The idea is to distil first-class coaching know-how and adapt it to our training in Ireland—recognising that different players need different approaches.”
Postcards from Down Under
During his time in Australia, Bray will be sending regular updates as part of the “Postcards from Down Under” 2025 series, offering Munster players, coaches, and supporters unique insights into elite cricket environments and how these can help shape the game’s future in Ireland.
