SWINDON have appointed South Western Districts bowler Douglas Baartman as their senior coach for the new season.

The County Ground side started their search for a coach over the winter and as they get ready for life back in WEPL Wiltshire tomorrow, starting with a visit from Purton, chairman Tom Foreman is delighted to have the experience of Baartman on board.

The 30-year-old from Oudtshoorn in South Africa is a player-coach with the provincial side that is a feeder club to the Cobras franchise.

Having made 46 first class appearances taking 106 wickets at an average of 28.75, Baartman, who has also taken 17 List A wickets at 43.52, will lead the Swindon attack.

“To have Dougie is fantastic,” Foreman said. “He has got fantastic experience working with South Western Districts.

“As well as being our opening bowler, he will be our senior coach.”

As well as bringing in Baartman for the new campaign, Swindon, who are captained by Andrew Staff, have brought in former Scotland Under 19 international Sam Page to bolster their top order batting.

The club, who found themselves ‘demoted’ from Glos/Wilts Division following the restructuring of the West of England Premier League, are targeting promotion this year.

“It was difficult to come to terms with (being placed in the Wiltshire Division),” Foreman said. “If a couple of results had gone the other way last year it would have been a different story.

“But the restructure has happened to try and keep more people interested in the game and give team shorter travelling distances – it has happened for the right reason.

“Our aim is promotion and to get back to where we were and push on from there.

“We haven’t really lost any players over the winter, while a few old faces have returned.”

Over the winter Foreman enlisted the help of Hampshire Cricket development coach Matt Drakeley to take the indoor sessions at Croft Sport Centre.

“We had 10 sessions at Croft and they were well attended,” Foreman said. “Now we have got Dougie putting us through our paces and it is awesome.

“We have got Purton on the opening day of the season and we can’t wait.”