Cricket News  

New cricket academy launched

Today (Tuesday) will see Scotland's U-19 squad focus on the ball and bat as they conclude their two-day match against Yorkshire Academy. 
 
Whatever their result at the crease, a new initiative unveiled off it by Cricket Scotland and Telford College yesterday (Monday) promises to help talented young players realize more than just their cricketing aspirations.
 
For Edinburgh's Telford College and Cricket Scotland have teamed up to create Scotland's first full-time training academy for talented cricketer's – the first programme of its type to be ever offered in Scotland. 
 
This new partnership will enable talented youngsters of school-leaving age to enroll in a year-long Cricket Performance course at Telford College whilst also continuing to further their academic studies.
 
The course, which is bursary-funded, develops practical skills in all aspects of cricket, including speed development, strength and conditioning, flexibility, psychological skills, sports massage and physiotherapy, as well as offering academic SQA Higher National Units in Fitness Testing, Resistance Training and Sports Coaching Theory.  As part of the course students will also have the opportunity to attend an overseas academy.
 
Craig Wright, Performance Development Manager at Cricket Scotland, said: "We feel that the Cricket Performance Course, in conjunction with the Academy structure, will provide our best young cricketers with a well structured, varied and focused 12 month programme which will give them the best opportunity to maximise their potential and gain some valuable life experience at the same time. On completion of the Academy year, players can progress in further education, into employment, or perhaps into careers as professional cricketers."
 
The first students for the course will be enrolled this autumn.