Players & EDM Photo © ECC

Players and coaches from 10 member countries met on Saturday 6 April in Alfas, Spain, for the start of the inaugural European Cricket Academy. At a reception courtesy of Alfas del Pi, they were greeted by Antonio Fuster Garcia, Mayor of Alfas, and Ken Sainsbury, AEC President. Ian Stuart responded on behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC) & European Cricket Council (ECC), with all proceedings were covered by the local press and television.

The Sunday morning gave experienced Middlesex CC physiotherapist Simon Shepard the opportunity to physically test each of the 14 players, all of whom are aged between 18-25. In conjunction with these tests the team of ECC coaches - Mike Hendrick, Richard Cox, BrÌan O'Rourke and Richard O'Sullivan - conducted fact-finding interviews with each player.

Even though the weather has been unseasonably wet, members of Sporting Alfas CC, led by Chairman Clive Woodbridge, made sure that the two new nets funded by the ICC European Development Programme (EDP) were installed and fit for the play on the Sunday afternoon. This gave the academy the chance to play in all four nets over a five-hour session and utilise the bowling machine and video recorder to great effect.

A prompt 8am start on Monday gave Simon Shepard a further chance to explore the players' agility, core stability, balance and co-ordination with many interesting routines. The players then worked intensively in small groups specific to their skills and the progress made in this session was evident with improved performance in the afternoon net session.

Tuesday 9 April saw the first ever European Academy match. A 40 over affair played between the 14 academy players and supplemented with talented guest players from a touring side and Sporting Alfas CC produced a tense and exciting finish. Much was learnt by all and the coaches were able to identify tactical areas they can explore in the coming days.

With EDP Development Officer Adam Cole, coach Ole Mortensen and umpire John Holder to join the party as they move to J·vea at the weekend, the Academy promises to go from strength to strength.