Scotland initiate training course

Scotland's first full-time training academy is being run at Edinburgh's Telford College in partnership with Cricket Scotland. It is intended that the year-long course will become an integral part of the treadmill from school cricket to the national level.

Bursary-funded, the course 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.

"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," said Craig Wright, the former Scotland coach who now heads development at Cricket Scotland. "On completion of the Academy year, players can progress in further education, into employment, or perhaps into careers as professional cricketers."

Eddie Pollock, Sport and Fitness Lecturer at Edinburgh's Telford College, said: "We are delighted to team up with Cricket Scotland to offer Scotland's first ever Cricket Performance course, and help the country's talented young players develop their skills in the sport, while also gaining SQA qualifications at the same time. It's an exciting prospect to potentially have the professional cricketers of the future in our midst."