The Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby has announced its intake for the newly-created Development Pathway for 2016/17.
The Academy, headed up by Development Coach Mal Loye, will see the Club working directly with young cricketers from the age of 13 upwards at two dedicated sites in Derby and Stoke-on-Trent.
The Academy intakes will work closely with the former England international and the rest of the Club’s professional coaches, all of whom have first-class experience within the game.
There will also be the opportunity to learn from specialist coaching and world-class cricketers to inspire and guide players on an occasional basis.
This year’s intake includes 13 Academy members, ageing from 13 to 17, who have been identified and recruited by Director of Cricket, Kim Barnett in consultation with the Club’s coaches and scouting network across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
In addition to the new intake, three youngsters who were part of the Academy last year – Cameron Ball, Dan Gibbs and Archie Gleadall – will train with the professional squad and be available for Second XI games in 2017.
Director of Cricket, Kim Barnett said: “The launch of our newly-created Development Pathway is a step change in the way we identify and develop home-grown talent who can go on and win games for Derbyshire.
“Youngsters now have the opportunity to be identified by the Club from the age of 13 and learn from coaches who will use their first-class experience and coaching expertise to ensure that players receive the appropriate support and development right through to the first-team.
“As part of this, Mal will liaise directly with the Derbyshire Cricket Board, local leagues, clubs and schools, as we aim to find the best talent in the local area.
“In addition to this, the Club has a strong relationship with the Staffordshire Cricket Board and produced some fine players from that partnership – and we’re delighted to now be able to run training sessions in Stoke-on-Trent, as well as Derby, from 2017.
Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with University of Derby 2016/17
Harvey Ault
Callum Brodrick
Sam Conners
Alfie Gleadall
Callum Hawkins
Josh Lacey
Tom Moulton
Adam Peat
Nick Potts
Nils Priestley
Hamidullah Qadri
Jack Redmond
James Taylor
Barnett concluded, “We are delighted that Mal Loye, our new Development Director, will be in place to lead the entire programme.
“As well as working with this year’s Academy intake, Mal will be responsible for the identification and recruitment of players for future intakes. This is an exciting new model and Mal will ensure that the process for selection to the 2017 /18 Academy is widely communicated across the cricket and schools networks in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
“Mal will also be travelling around the area watching plenty of County Age Group, Club, School and League cricket so young cricketers who shine at any level have a real opportunity to put their hands up for future selection.
“Our overall aim remains to produce first-class cricketers who will put in winning performances for Derbyshire and even go on to play for England, and we feel this new model can give the most talented young players in the region the best chance of doing this.”
Derbyshire CCC Development Pathway
