Derbyshire has reinforced the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby coaching and support team, as the Club increases it focus on developing home grown talent.
In his extended role as Head of Development, Mal Loye will lead a strengthened management, coaching and support group.
Stephen Stubbings, who has been promoted to First XI Coach, and Player/Coach Tony Palladino will liaise with Loye on emerging players, offering opportunities to train with the first team and talent-spot players to progress from the Academy into the professional setup.
The Club has also appointed a new Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach, Matt Mayer, and Assistant Physiotherapist, Marc Barr, who will focus on the Second XI and Academy teams, whilst providing additional support to Lead Physio, Fran Clarkson and Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach, Jonty Norris.
The Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby is the highest level of the Cricket Derbyshire development pathway.
The pathway allows talented youngsters to progress through club, district, County Age Group and Emerging Players Programme (EPP) Mini-Academy levels before moving into the Academy and then ultimately into the professional setup.
In total, 11 graduates from the Academy featured for the first-team in 2017, whilst Hamidullah Qadri, Callum Brodrick, James Taylor and Alfie Gleadall all earned their first professional deals.
The Derbyshire Cricket Board will continue to be fully responsible for the delivery of the development pathway below Academy level.
Loye said: “It’s important for the future of Derbyshire and England that we are developing our own players. There has to be a clear goal and route to progress into the professional game for those who are good enough.
“Our enhanced set-up, working closely with Steve [Stubbings] as First XI Coach, will identify talent and give young players the best possible opportunity to break into the first team.”
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