Less than a week after the Sydney Sixers lost the BBL 15 final in Perth, Cricket NSW has announced head coach Greg Shipperd will vacate his roles with the Sixers and NSW a year early, departing at the end of the 2025-26 season.

A former first class player with both Western Australia and Tasmania, 69-year-old Shipperd began coaching the Sydney Sixers in 2015, before adding the NSW head coach role in late 2022.

Across eleven BBL seasons under Shipperd spanning 145 matches, the Sixers won BBL two titles and featured in nine finals series—alas, it wasn’t enough.

Shipperd will remain in charge for NSW’s remaining Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup matches this season, together with any finals should the team qualify.

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Cricket NSW boss Lee Germon said that while coaching changes are always difficult, the time had come to take the NSW and Sixers programs in a different direction.

“Greg Shipperd’s leadership has had a positive impact on the NSW Blues and Sydney Sixers throughout his association with Cricket NSW,” Germon said.

“Decisions to change key personnel are never easy, but we felt it was time to move in a new direction to give the Blues and Sixers the best chance to win titles.

“I would like to thank Greg for his contribution to Cricket NSW and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

While grateful for the opportunities provided by Cricket NSW over the past 11 seasons, Shipperd couldn’t hide his disappointment about the decision that sees him removed with 12 months remaining on his contract.

“Cricket NSW is such a historical and beautiful beast and it has been an honour and privilege to coach the NSW Blues and Sydney Sixers for such a period,” Shipperd said.

“My contract was to conclude at the end of the 2026/27 season and so I’m incredibly disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to honour my commitment and continue to develop the wonderful young players I have been working with. 

“I am extremely proud of my coaching team for building the foundation of a new generation and I wish them all success beyond my time here.”

Cricket NSW says no decision has been made on whether both the Sixers and NSW positions will continue to be held by the same coach.