Academy Director AJ Harris says he’s excited to be working with the newest crop of Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby intakes.
The group includes seven returning Academy members and two new recruits who will have the opportunity to work closely with the Club’s professional coaching staff and players over the winter and throughout 2016.
Harris guided the Academy to success in the Six Counties Cup last season and with last year’s intakes Matt Critchley and Rob Hemmings recently signing new deals at the Club, he is predicting more success from this year’s group.
“I am very pleased with our academy group,” said Harris. “We have a good mix of skill sets and with three players away playing cricket in Australia, we should have a good breadth of knowledge and experience for the coming season.
“Our aim is to produce talented and well-balanced cricketers, capable of playing at the next level from ball one.
“We have seen recently how quickly opportunities arise with a number of recently graduated academy players making their debuts. Tom Taylor is also now on the Potential England Performance Programme this winter, so it is important that the lads are well prepared.
#ACADEMY: #DCCC announce 2016 Academy intakes in partnership with @DerbyUni #P2bD https://t.co/rrWxh7UyZq pic.twitter.com/bUQ7ivS0cW
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) November 24, 2015
“Playing in the Six Counties Cup allows us to pit ourselves against academies and under 19s from other counties. It was a great achievement to win it last year, but the important aspect is that they are challenged and are put into situations and scenarios that push their abilities to the limit.
“The other counties will be looking to push us harder next year and our new group of players will again be put to the test.”
Harris says the hard work begins now for the players and is happy with the arrivals of two new players in the shape of Cameron Ball and Archie Gleadall.
“The winter is a chance to make big strides forward, each player will have a personalised strength and conditioning programme to follow and have the opportunity to work on specific areas of their games.
“It is important however, that they don’t lose sight of who they are and that their strengths continue to grow.
“Both Cameron Ball and Archie Gleadall have come through the age group system and have been performing with the mini academy as well as with the under 17s. Each of them impressed with their attitude to the testing and also with their ability to cope skilfully with the challenges presented to them.”
Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with University of Derby 2015/16
Cameron Ball
Tom Ball
Ryan Bramwell
Archie Gleadall
Harry Killoran
Hamaiz Mahmood
Callum Parkinson
Robert Peat
George Sellers
Membership for 2016 is on sale NOW. Buy before February 1st Early Bird deadline and SAVE! Purchase online at derbyshireccc.com, in person at The 3aaa County Ground or by calling 0871 350 1870.
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