Warwickshire County Cricket Club is expanding its Youth Pathway to offer more children a chance to pursue their cricketing dreams.
The Club has opened applications for boys and girls to join its Under-10 to Under-12 youth system, which sees youngsters receive expert coaching and the opportunity to play and train at Edgbaston’s Indoor Centre.
Any parent or guardian can nominate children directly to try out for the programme by completing an online form.
Previously, young talent was put forward by schools or cricket clubs for consideration, but the newly revamped process opens up the scheme to any child across Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Pathway is open to boys in school years 4-7 (starting in September 2025) and girls in years 3-7, who will be invited to observation sessions with coaches.
Warwickshire Youth Coach Alex Laud, said: “We piloted the open nomination process for boys last year and were pleased to see an increase in application numbers.
“We’re keen to keep broadening our player pool and see as many young players as possible. That’s why we’ve also opened the process this year to younger girls in the county as well. It gives them the chance to progress through our Youth Pathway, into our Academy and, who knows, hopefully represent Bears Women.
“Children can choose to attend a soft ball or hard ball observation session with our coaches at Edgbaston’s Indoor School or at a venue in Coventry, depending on where the player lives. We think it’s important to offer both, as some children may not have experienced hard ball cricket before.
“It’s an exciting opportunity. We’ve seen lots of youngsters progress from Under-10 age group into the senior side, including players recently like Dan Mousley, Hamza Shaikh and Taz Ali. We’re looking for the next stars of the future.”
Warwickshire already has a video application process in place for children (boys and girls) aged U13-U18 which is now open for the 2026 cohort.
Children must have been born in, reside in, or attend a Birmingham, Coventry or Warwickshire school or belong to a Warwickshire-affiliated club. Parents are able to select a softball or hardball observation session for their child.
Applications will close on 12 August.
For more information, email [email protected].