Swardeston are delighted to announce the signing of Ben France to the club.
Ben joins Swardeston to bolster the ranks of the club’s 2nd XI which will be competing in the Premier Division of the Lacons Brewery Norfolk Alliance this summer.
And as a ECB level-3 qualified coach Ben will also bring a fantastic skill-set to the Swardeston coaching set-up.
Ben has his own successful coaching business and in an exciting venture has recently opened a new indoor cricket facility – Norwich Cricket Centre – based at Arminghall just south of the city.

Swardeston chair Stuart Bartram said: “We are delighted Ben has agreed to join us. We believe there are exciting times ahead both on the playing and coaching front. Ben will support our Director of Youth and Women and Girls Cricket Neil Taylor and Neil has already agreed a number of Swardeston coaching sessions for our young players at Norwich Cricket Centre. Details will be announced shortly.”
Ben said: ”I’m thrilled to join Swardeston, a club with a rich history and a reputation for excellence both on and off the field. It’s an honour to become part of a community that has achieved so much and continues to nurture cricketing talent across all levels.
“I’m particularly looking forward to getting involved with the coaching side of things and helping develop the next generation of cricketers at the club. Sharing my experience and passion for the game is something I truly enjoy, and I can’t wait to work with players across all age groups.”

A former first-class cricketer for Derbyshire, Ben spent the past seven years at Hethersett & Tas Valley where he was the Director of Coaching and Cricket. He previously appeared in the East Anglian Premier League for Vauxhall Mallards, Horsford, Clacton and Bury St Edmunds.
Ben was also a regular for both Norfolk and Suffolk and was part of the Suffolk team which won the MCCA knockout Trophy at Lords in 2007.
In 2023 and 2024 Ben was selected for the England Over 40s squad. Ben also has valuable experience as a player in Australia for Grade 1 Cricket teams including Paramatta Cricket Club and North Sydney Cricket Club.
Now working at the Jane Austen College in Norwich Ben was also previously Cricket Professional at Framlingham College and Town Close School.
Visit: https://www.benfrancecricket.co.uk/

