Women’s Performance Academy winter programme up and running
MCC and Middlesex Cricket’s new Women’s Performance Academy met for the first time ever last month, with fifteen players having been invited to spend weekly contact time with coaches in order to develop their technical, tactical and physical skills.
The aim of the Academy, which is led by MCC and Middlesex Head of Women’s Cricket Danni Warren, is to provide a link for talented young female players between county age group cricket and the higher end of the pathway. This will then prepare players to represent their county and perform at the required level to make regional and national squads.
The players will benefit from a training programme that has been carefully designed to help the squad make an impact on the women’s game. During the winter, the focus is on developing skills, and strength and conditioning training, before embarking on a schedule of matches next summer that includes action against top level opposition.
The players involved are all aged between 15 and 23, with nine players from Middlesex, two each from Essex and Hertfordshire, and one apiece from Hampshire and Worcestershire. Each player is currently in either full-time education or full-time employment, and makes a weekly trip to Lord’s to work with the Academy in addition to the training they are undertaking with their respective counties.
The winter programme will last for nineteen weeks, finishing at Easter before the match programme gets underway. Warren is also supported by MCC Head Coach Steve Kirby and his team, as well as Middlesex’s coaching staff and a number of other specialist coaches who will be used at certain points during the course.
Danni Warren, MCC and Middlesex Head of Women’s Cricket said...
“Both MCC and Middlesex are committed to developing the women’s game and the new Academy is a clear indication of creating an opportunity for furthering the careers of talented young players.
“The squad will be working on their training programmes in the MCC Cricket Academy over the winter until their matches commence in the summer. The players will then also be available to support MCC Women in their busy out-match schedule, which will again expose them to competitive cricket and some vastly experienced players.”
