Bea settling in nicely
Bea Willis is settling in nicely after signing her first professional contract.
A product of the Devon and Gloucestershire Pathways and Western Storm Emerging Player Programme, After impressing for the Somerset Academy, she signed a contract that will run across the 2026 & 2027 seasons.
We caught up with her earlier this week at the Cooper Associates County Ground
To discuss her first impressions.
“I feel like I’ve fitted into the group and I’m really enjoying it,” she said. “It’s really cool to be able to come into the ground four or five times a week and put the effort in. It’s a really good environment to be a part of and I can’t wait to start contributing and helping others as they’ve helped me. It’s definitely been a good experience so far.
“I’ve already got some close friends in the squad like Erin Vukusic. She’s really helped me to settle into the environment. I’ve also grown up playing cricket with Ruby Davis so it’s nice to be here with her.
“I’ve been doing some work with the England Under 19s and Fran Wilson is one of the coaches. Although she’s not at Somerset anymore, she’s been a really good person to talk to about the Club. I’ve taken her advice and I’m definitely starting to feel like Somerset is my new home.”
Is Bea enjoying the pre-season fitness work?
“Thinking about the fitness and the testing and the S&C could be a bit daunting, but I really enjoy pushing myself. I feel good if I’m tired at the end of the day because it means that I’m pushing myself to get to new levels. That makes me really excited for the summer because then I’ll be able to see all this hard work pay off.”
Erin Osborne has taken over the role of Head Coach this winter. Is Bea enjoying working with her?
“I’m really enjoying working with Erin,” she said. “I really like her fresh perspective and she’s really approachable. She’s pushing to make this a learning environment. She wants us to learn and adapt and get better. I’m really enjoying that approach.”
What will constitute success in 2026 for the right-arm seamer?
“I want to make my debut. I’m really looking forward to the day that happens. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later! I feel that any experience this year, whether that be on or off the field, will be beneficial. Success will be finding my footing in the professional environment, but I really want to be able to make an impact for the team on the pitch and not just in training.
“As a team, we’re really working together. We’ve been discussing what our strengths are as a team and who we are as Somerset. It’s really exciting to be creating that identity and to be able to be a part of that.”
