2008 SQUADS ANNOUNCED!

Boys Development of Excellence Programme

This coaching and matchplay programme extends from January to August each year and involved elite level coaching / commitment from the players and is supported by well trained managers and Summer squad coaches. The 17 week Winter programme cover s areas of technique Tactics Fitness mental Skills and looks briefly at Lifestyle skills – however the majority of the sessions are based around skills and drills / net practice / 1-1 work and use of the ECC excellent coaching facilities such as the bowling machines and video analysis . At the end of the 17 weeks and dependent on your age group the boys are directed to either a Summer trial or to District Festivals held at Whitsun each year. Soon after all of the squads are finalised by Managers / Coaches and the Development team ready for the matchplay element of the Summer At Under 13 14 15 and 17 the teams play in ECB Competitions featuring either one day or two day cricket dependent on the age group whilst the remaining teams at Under 10 12 16 and 19 play in Tours, Tournaments and Festivals dependent on the outlined programme – all in all each team averages around 10 matches preseason dependent on their programme in various competitions. The most talented players move through to ECB Regional Cricket at under 13 14 15 and then to England teams at Under 15 17 19 – however the ultimate aim for most of the boys is to become and Academy Player and then move on to the County Staff via a Summer contract / Retainer Contract or Full Contract depending on their circumstances.

A full contract is what it says - a 9 month employment to play 2nd or 1st XI Cricket – A Summer Contract is for those at College or University and who are available from early July onwards whilst the Retainer contract is for the younger player who is still at School or College and has the capacity to play 2nd XI Cricket.