Coaches appointed for the ECB University Centres of Cricketing Excellence

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed Head Coaches for its five new University Centres of Cricketing Excellence: Kevin Sharp (Bradford / Leeds UCCE), Chris Scott (Cambridge UCCE), Kevin Lyons (Cardiff / Glamorgan UCCE), Graham Dilley (Loughborough UCCE), Graham Charlesworth (Oxford UCCE). Former England batsman Graeme Fowler is the Head Coach at the existing Durham UCCE.

The University Centres of Cricketing Excellence Scheme (UCCE Scheme), instigated and part-funded by the ECB, will begin in Autumn 2000. It will ensure that the best young cricketers are encouraged to go into further education by providing them with the best possible opportunities to develop their cricket while at university.

The Durham UCCE has been operating as a pilot scheme for a number of years and has already helped to accelerate the development of a number of current First Class cricketers including Robin Martin-Jenkins (Sussex), Andrew Strauss and Ben Hutton (Middlesex), Elliott Wilson and Ryan Driver (Worcestershire) and Mark Chilton (Lancashire).

Commenting on the appointments, Hugh Morris, ECB's Technical Director said, "ECB is delighted that the Universities have been able to appoint such well qualified and high calibre coaches.

"ECB is making a significant investment in the UCCE Scheme and I am confident that these Coaches will ensure that the UCCEs develop a significant number of high quality male and female cricketers."

The new Head Coaches

Kevin Sharp, Head Coach to the Bradford / Leeds UCCE. Kevin captained England at U19 level and played for Yorkshire from 1976 to 1992. He is an ECB Staff Coach and has been working as a Cricket Development Officer in Shropshire since 1994.

Chris Scott, Head Coach to the Cambridge UCCE. Chris is an ECB Staff Coach and kept wicket and was a capped player at both Durham CCC and Nottinghamshire CCC. Since October 1996 Chris has been the Cricket Development Officer for the Northumberland Cricket Board.

Kevin Lyons, as Head Coach to the Cardiff / Glamorgan UCCE. Kevin, an ECB Staff Coach and ex-Glamorgan player, will continue to be a member of ECB's First Class Umpires Reserve List and will be available to umpire during the second half of the season.

Graham Dilley, Head Coach to the Loughborough UCCE. Graham played in 41 Test Matches for England and is an ECB Level III Coach with experience of coaching at First Class County and international level.

Graham Charlesworth, as Head Coach to the Oxford UCCE. Graham played cricket at Durham University and gained a 'blue' at Cambridge before becoming a contracted player at Warwickshire CCC. Since 1996 Graham has been the Director of Coaching for the Griqualand West Cricket Board in South Africa.

For further information, please contact Mark Hodgson in ECB Corporate Affairs:
Tel: 020 7432 1251. Fax: 020 7289 5619. E-mail: mark.hodgson@ecb.co.uk