Busy Easter Activities Period

During the recent Easter holidays, there was a full programme of activities at the School, involving over 300 children and young people.

Following the successful Welsh Airgun Association competition that was held in the Schools Sports Hall, it was the turn of the Sports Centre Manager to deliver his ever-popular holiday camps for 8 to 14 year olds with a Multi-Activities Course, Adventure + for older children, tennis course and a 2 day Easter cricket camps. All 4 courses were well-attended with the cricket camp attracting many younger children, some of whom travelled a distance to participate. The cricket course proved particularly appealing amongst this younger age group who were treated to a range of sessions led by two award winning Shropshire Young coaches James Wojda and Megan Jones.

During the second week the School hosted the ECB Disabled squad, who took full advantage of the wonderful facilities including the indoor nets and Fitness Suite at the School as well as playing 2 outdoor matches in glorious weather. Neil Bradshaw, a Shropshire coach and one of the head coaches of the ECB squad said 'all the squad members were delighted to be able to return to Ellesmere and everyone really enjoyed their time training there. We were well looked after from start to finish and will be looking to come back at the next available opportunity'. Rod Jones. Head of the Cricket Academy added, To watch these players train was a pleasure. Each player is very committed and they display a great team spirit. It is so obvious that they are all so are very proud to represent England.

The third and final week was a particularly busy period for the School. It was a first in the Country for a County girls only pre-season training camp. The Under 13's arrived on the Sunday night and trained for two days and then were replaced by the Under 15's on Tuesday. County squads from Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire participated with 85 girls in total attending over the four days. Their trainers included the 2 ECB women players, Jenny Gunn and Lydia Greenway.

Working with the ECB Ladies Cricket Development Officers, it is planned for the girls pre-season training to take place again next year when it is anticipated that more Counties will take up the opportunity to train with National coaches. 

Each day was packed from an early start, with the girls having fitness training before breakfast, skill sessions until lunch and then the opportunity to have match practice, before retiring for tea. Each evening there was a further theory session where the girls could fire questions at the 2 ECB Women players. Rod Jones added. The feedback has been great and we are looking forward to this becoming a regular fixture for Counties from around the UK coming to prepare themselves for the season ahead.

Besides the national Disabled team and County Girls pre-season training, 75 members of the Manchester University Cricket Club resided at the School for two days training. Again a full programme, with in excess of 120 players training alongside each other around the School, which was a huge achievement of the support staff who pulled together to make it possible.

The Cricket Academy continues to grow in significance, where cricket talent can be nurtured and developed as part of a full training programme, whilst pupils receive a first class education.

Many pupils have already progressed into County or above, especially with the links that have already been forged with first class Counties, including Lancashire and Glamorgan.

4th May 2011  Back to News