FOLLOWING their most successful season in the club's 47 year history, Yelverton Bohemians Cricket Club is creating a cricket academy to develop their club members aged between 15 and 21 years. During the 2007 season, YBCC won the 'E' Division West league and plate and their fledgling Plymouth and district midweek team won their league and were runners-up in the cup competition. A large proportion of each team was made up with players who would now belong to the academy. Heading the newly formed academy is first team captain Rob Guy, who is very excited at the prospect of taking the younger players of the club to another level of their development. Guy said: 'Unfortunately, once someone exceeds the age for the Palladium U15 league there is a chasm in their opportunities to develop further in competitive cricket because there are hardly any U17 games available. 'The dropout rate from cricket at around this age is phenomenal and we see the academy as a fantastic way of keeping these players in the game we all love so much. Our aim is to put together individual coaching plans in place for all the academy members and promise them competitive cricket based on their abilities every week. Our club coaches led by our club coach, Paul Farnham, will be working hard with the individuals to improve the basic skills of the game and develop specific skills according to the individuals' requirements. 'We are not just looking for existing club members to form the academy squad as we would like to offer the same opportunities to new players who feel that they would benefit from the chance of playing regular competitive cricket. 'Yelverton Bohemians CC have great practice facilities including a bowling machine and a beautiful ground at Langton Park. The future of the club will come from this group of people and we are under no illusion that they must be nurtured and have the right resources made available to them to fulfil their potential. 'Our winter nets start on the January 31 at Plymouth College sports hall and the academy players will be involved from the very beginning.' To find out more about Yelverton Bohemians Cricket Club's academy please contact Rob Guy on 07836 261502 or by e-mailing at [email protected]">[email protected].
