Tilford Cricket Club, with its quintessential village green setting, has established an Academy to cater for its expanding youth activities. The introduction of its Junior Section in 2017 based on the ECB All Stars programme (for ages 5-8) presented a challenge of developing a structure for multiple age groups. In the first instance this was covered by the later ECB Dynamos programme (for ages 9-10) and the Academy will take this a step further, in time up to the age of 16.

Tilford CC Chairman Jason Stones commented: “Our ambition for the Junior Section has always been to develop cricketers who will eventually succeed at the senior level. The Academy will greatly facilitate that aim, expanding our coaching capability and enhancing links with local schools. The Junior Section continues to grow (well over 200 children now participate, of which 30% are girls) and we have identified several talented and aspiring young cricketers with real potential, some of whom have already been accepted for county level development.”

Head of the Academy and Director of Youth Cricket Terry Raven added: “The success of the Junior Section over its first five years has greatly exceeded our original expectations. More recently this can be attributed to the appointment of a professional coach. Rob Sholto-Douglas, a protégé of renowned international coach Gary Kirsten, joined Tilford last year and immediately upgraded the quality of our weekly sessions. I doubt there is a better coach in the area.”

The Academy has introduced a bursary scheme for those youngsters who are keen to enjoy cricket in a thriving club setting but are put off for financial reasons.

For more information contact: terrypgraven@gmail.com