HKCA launches Emerging Squads Program for 2012

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) has announced the launch of its Emerging Squads Program 2012 for Under-13 and Under-15 boys and girls. The program, which has been designed and organised by the HKCA and subvented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD), is free to attend.

The Emerging Squads Program, which will run in two phases during June-July and August September, has been created to offer a clear player pathway and to ensure Hong Kong's promising young cricketers are exposed to elite development. The Emerging Squads Program will feature 18 specific sections designed to develop and educate players in all areas such as skills development, game sense, fitness and athlete nutrition, scoring techniques and umpiring knowledge etc.

Cut-off birth dates for nomination for the U13 and U15 Emerging Squads Program are as follows:

• U13 - born on or after 1st September 1999
• U15 - born on or after 1st September 1997

In addition, all nominees must be HKID card holders and boys must have resided in Hong Kong for a minimum of four years while girls must have been resident in Hong Kong for at least two years.

Each club/school can nominate up to 6 players. All nominees must meet the above age and residency qualifications as well as the following additional criteria:

• All players nominated must attend the trial to be considered.
• Each club/school must submit full details of each player on the application form and return this to the HKCA office on or before 25th June 2012. [Download Emerging Squads 2012 Application Form]

All application forms must be signed and chopped by the club or school nominating the player. Players submitting or presenting unsigned application forms will not be eligible for nomination.

A trial for all nominated boys and girls will be conducted at the Kai Tak Cricket Ground on 25th June 2012 from 4:00PM to 6:00PM. Following completion of the trial, the final emerging squads will be announced on the HKCA website at www.cricket.com.hk.

In the event of rain, nominated players should still go to Kai Tak to present their HKID cards and complete their registration formalities.

Specific program dates and course content will be forwarded to all players named in the final emerging squads. Players named in a final emerging squads will be expected to attend all program sessions.

Please note that all nominated players attending the trial should report to the Kai Tak Cricket Ground on time; be dressed in proper cricket gear and present their HKID card for verification purposes.

For further details, please contact Wilfred Lau at the Hong Kong Cricket Association by phone on 2504-0678 or email on wilfred_lau@hkcricket.org.