A unique sports college course based at Edgbaston Stadium is offering teenagers a chance to carve out cricket careers – and has seen its pupils crowned national champions!
The Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme offers BTEC and coaching courses aimed at boys and girls considering roles in sports coaching, marketing, psychology, nutrition, and a range of other professions.
The programme – a collaboration between the Edgbaston Foundation charity and Sandwell College – was launched in 2021 and last year saw its cohort of 16- to 18-year-olds expand to more than 40.
It offers BTEC Level 3 qualifications in both Sports Development & Coaching and Sports & Exercise Science, plus ECB-accredited courses, First Aid classes, training at Edgbaston’s Indoor Cricket Centre, plus summer and winter matches.
And this year the Programme’s team won the Association of Colleges National Cricket Cup having topped their regional group before beating Barton Peveril 6th Form, Hampshire, and Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth College, Leicester, on Finals Day.
Joshua Howells Holloway, Education and Employability Officer at Edgbaston, said: “We’re only in our second year but the course is developing all the time and I’m excited ahead of enrolment for our third year.
“The course offers potential progression to university and careers in physical education teaching, physiotherapy, cricket coaching and sport development.
“Plus there’s a chance to learn, train and play cricket at the world famous Edgbaston Stadium and learn from professional coaches and players at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.”
Students have also gained valuable work experience helping Warwickshire Cricket Board staff run cricket holiday camps and tournaments, while some have secured paid employment through links within the Club.
Scott Thomas, Head of Sport at Sandwell College, said: “The partnership between Sandwell College and Warwickshire County Cricket Club has gone from strength to strength. We’ve had a our first cohort of students graduate from the programme this summer and we’re extremely proud of the achievement and progression they’ve made.
“We offer a unique education experience for any young person with a passion for cricket and sport. The high calibre of education and coaching complements the work experience and educational visits students will receive whilst on programme at Edgbaston.
“We are very proud of becoming AOC National Cricket Champions this year, and we look forward to more success in the future.”
Recruitment for the cohort for next year is well underway, with what will no doubt be an exciting year with new opportunities and the chance to defend the National College Championship.
If you are interested in joining the programme or hearing more about it, please visit Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme page to register your interest.
Additional tickets released for West Indies Test
A small number of tickets have been released for the first three days of our Men’s Test against West Indies this summer (26-30 July).
Over 80,000 tickets have been sold across the five days and remaining tickets are expected to go quickly.
Hospitality and Premium Tickets are still available for all days.
