Warwickshire is searching for Bears stars of the future to join it’s under-13s to under-18s youth development programme.
Hundreds of boys and girls applied last year after the Club opened up its selection process to make it easier for all children, irrespective of their background, to apply for its junior ranks.
Boys (U13-U18) and girls (U13-U18) can now apply by submitting a video of them batting, bowling or wicket-keeping for assessment by coaches, whereas previously only local clubs, schools and cricket organisations could nominate players.
Video is supplied on WhatsApp to a dedicated number: 07933 467334 for boys and 07767 049086 for girls. Girls’ applications are open until Tuesday, 12th August, and Boys’ Applications until Friday, 5th September.
Of the 278 video applications received last year, 72 boys and 41 girls were invited to attend a series of coaching sessions last winter, with 11 boys and 23 girls making it onto the county pathway.
Warwickshire was the first professional cricket club to introduce such a system, which is run in partnership with Birmingham City University.
And according to Bears Head of Athlete Performance, Paul Greetham, it’s helping more youngsters realise their sporting dreams.
He said: “I’d encourage families, teachers, coaches and children themselves to send in footage so we can take a look. It could be a first step to an exciting career in cricket.
“Increasing numbers of our pathway prospects are now state educated – around three in five – and 57 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls are from diverse backgrounds.”
Pathway Lead for Girls, Jack Mousley and Pathway Lead for Boys Ben Gibbons said: “We’re also trying to ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to any child, as costs associated with our pathway have been removed and we recently launched a Bursary Fund to reduce barriers for talent inclusion”.
Birmingham City University were instrumental in making this new applications programme happen. It was a fantastic opportunity to work with them on an initiative that has really helped to drive accessibility.
Birmingham City University (BCU) co-funded research looking at how bias and a lack of objectivity can impact selection decisions, and that research formed the basis of the new pathway process which will now run for its fourth consecutive year.
The Club has created two videos outlining the open trials system and explaining what video footage needs to be submitted for batters, wicket keepers and bowlers.
- Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_F338LY9mU
- How to submit entries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEHO8kP4eC4
- For more information: https://edgbaston.com/warwickshire-ccc/pathway/boys-girls-trials