Staffordshire Cricket update

It's been a great month for Staffordshire Cricket with a number of players receiving representative honours and a launch of a brand new website.

Staffordshire Cricket has launched its new website. 

www.staffordshirecricket.co.uk

In a re branding of the Staffordshire Cricket Board and the Staffordshire young cricketers, all things will now come under the new heading.

In an exciting venture and to co-incide with the appointment of new cricket development manager Jason Britton, the website is packed with help and information to help clubs develop continuous growth.

There is help with development plans, clubmark and groundsman assistance.

The news section concentrates on all the happenings of local players doing well for their county and country as well as news from the county club team in the minor counties championship.

On the coaching front, academy head coach Alan Hill has put on a coaching matrix to allow clubs to understand what each age group in their club should be concentrating on.

Coach education is covered and the middle of august will see Stephen Walker the staffs cricket support officer launch the 2008-9 coach education leaflet on the website. This gives information on all the courses run in Staffordshire during this timeframe.

Andy Grice the marketing and funding director for the board has a funding and fundraising page whereby you can download all the help available in grants and loans from the ECB.

The website is a quality tool for any cricket club or supporter and well worth a read.

www.staffordshirecricket.co.uk

Staffs Cricket Stars Celebrate Representative Success

Nine of Staffordshire young cricketers have received representative honours in the last few weeks.

Two of the County’s u17 girls have had national call-ups being selected as part of the England Women’s Academy to play two 50-over matches and a Twenty20 match against international opposition ahead of the full international women’s series. Staffordshire duo Georgia Elwiss (who was named Most Improved Player at this year’s Super 4s Competition) and Danielle Wyatt are named in the squad, having recently featured in record-breaking open partnership for the county in a crushing victory over Wales. Georgia (108 not out) and Dani (97) put on a double century first wicket partnership of 203.

Four of the county’s u17 boys squad have been selected for the Midlands; Jack Manual, Ben McGuire, Michael Hill and Alex Hughes have all been selected for the upcoming u17 National Festival Friends Provident Trophy; Joe Leach is also on standby for the tournament which will take place at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough.

Sam Kelsall and Greg Chance from the county’s u15 squad have been selected to represent the Midlands at the Bunbury Festival.

Jack Manuel Selected For England U17

SCB is delighted to congratulate Jack Manuel on his selection for England U17 squad to play New Zealand U19s at Sleaford CC, Lincs. on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 21, 22 & 23 July.

Jack has been selected on his performances for Midlands U17 at the recent regional U17 festival at ECB National Academy over the past week. During the festival, he scored 121 not out against the North in a match which the Midlands won conclusively.

In addition, Jack has scored consistently well when playing for Worcestershire CCC 2nd XI and on the basis of his performances, has been granted a summer contract.

Jack has progressed through the ranks of Staffordshire youth cricket, starting at an early age, and everyone within the county is delighted that he has achieved this goal and wishes him well during these games and in the future.

Alan Hill, EPP Head Coach, remarked:
‘ We are all really pleased that Jack has achieved this ambition and we hope that this is just the start of his rise in the game. Through hard work and desire, he has developed his game over the past couple of seasons and this is a just reward for his efforts.
Hopefully, other players playing at county level will look at Jack’s achievement and seek to match and if possible, emulate it.’  

Jack Manuel and Sam Kelsall In The Runs

Tamworth left handed batsman Jack Manuel scored an impressive hundred on his England Under 17's debut yesterday.
Playing against New Zealand under 19's, Jack played a majestic innings impressing everyone on the ground at Sleaford.

After batting first England were in a strong position going into the final over but the junior Kiwis won the game by scoring 21 off the final over.

Sam Kelsall the Moddershall right handed batsman is also away this week, playing in the Bunbury under 15 festival at Sedbergh School in Cumbria.
Sam scored 86 on the first day to further his claims to play in higher grades of cricket.

Meir Heath Girls go through to National Finals

Meir Heath under 15 girls have won the regional final of the lady Taverners competition.
Meir Heath, under head coach Dave Ford, go forward to the national finals later this year.