Trevor Penney Named Paarl Royals’ 2025 SA20 Head Coach
Paarl Royals have appointed Trevor Penney as the new head coach for the upcoming SA20 2025 season, scheduled from January 9 to February 8. Penney replaces New Zealand’s Shane Bond, who will now focus on his role with the Rajasthan Royals for the IPL mega auction and upcoming season preparations. Bond, who was previously the head coach for Paarl Royals, will spend more time in India, working closely with the Rajasthan Royals’ head coach, Rahul Dravid.
Penney’s new role comes on the back of his successful stint as head coach of the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Under his leadership, the Royals achieved consistently high performance, reaching the runners-up position in 2022, narrowly missing out on playoffs in 2023, and advancing to Qualifier 2 in 2024. Penney’s coaching methods helped foster a winning mentality and team spirit, positioning the Royals as strong contenders.
Penney’s Success with Barbados Royals in the CPL
Penney’s journey with the Royals has been marked by achievements in the CPL, which included turning the two-time CPL champions into consistent playoff contenders. The team fell short of the final in 2024 but has consistently remained one of the top sides under his guidance. Penney’s coaching philosophy, centered on team unity and effective strategies, was instrumental in the team’s success, and he now looks to bring the same approach to Paarl Royals.
In his statement, Penney expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge: “I’m honored to take on the Head Coach role at Paarl Royals. The SA20 has become a major tournament, and I’m excited to work with a talented squad. Being a part of the Royals family with the Rajasthan Royals and the Barbados Royals has been a fantastic experience, and I’m convinced we can build on the success of the last two seasons.
Penney will take over a team captained by South African legend David Miller, who guided the Royals to two consecutive SA20 playoff berths. In 2023 and 2024, the Paarl Royals reached the semi-finals and playoffs, further establishing themselves as one of the most competitive teams in the tournament. With Penney now in charge, the team will aim to push for the title in the 2025 season.
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Royals Director of Cricket Welcomes Penney
Kumar Sangakkara, Royals’ Director of Cricket, welcomed Penney’s appointment, saying, “Trevor has been instrumental in the success of both Rajasthan Royals and Barbados Royals. His track record of turning teams into contenders speaks volumes about his coaching skills. We believe he will continue this success with Paarl Royals, and we are excited to see the team thrive under his leadership.”
As Shane Bond transitions to focus solely on his IPL responsibilities, Penney’s extensive experience in T20 leagues around the world, combined with David Miller’s leadership, will be crucial for Paarl Royals’ ambitions in the upcoming SA20 season.
