_{With pre-season nets getting underway across the club, we wanted to inform you of a number of exciting developments for 2025, that will continue to strengthen junior cricket and the pathway into our senior teams.}

_{Last year saw a huge leap forward with the launch of our 4th XI and 24 U18s playing senior mens cricket at the club up from 5 in 2023. Our aim for is to continue to grow that number and to ensure that all juniors players feel welcomed, supported and play at the right level to enhance their development.}

_{Over the winter the club has removed the role of head of junior boys cricket following Prakash Timmaraju’s departure and split the responsibilities across our three professional coaches, director of cricket Luke Sellers, club coach Stuart Houghton and our men’s overseas player Josh Breed.}

_{Luke will directly support the coaches across both boys and girls junior cricket and continue to oversee all cricket at the club.}

_{Stuart, who is Worcestershire CCC’s lead junior pathway coach, will primarily coach the U15 boys but will also oversee player development within the entire boys section. In particular, Stuart will help coaches ensure that players are given the right playing opportunities, in the right teams to support their development. Stuart will also work with the senior captains to ensure that those juniors wishing to play senior cricket are picked in the right teams and given roles to match their skill set.}

_{Josh Breed, who will be first XI captain this year, will take over the running of out U16 and 19 teams and provide additional support to high potential players in this age group. Josh will also continue to coach some of our younger players, particularly the U13 boys.}

_{The strengthening of the link between junior and senior teams is mirrored on the girls side where New Zealand overseas player Georgia Atkinson will be taking over as player/coach of the women’s 1st XI. She will lead integrated coaching sessions that also include our women’s second XI and Under 15 girls. Georgia will also continue to work with our younger girls as well.}

_{Director of cricket Luke Sellers said:}

_{“I am confident that these new roles will strengthen the links between our junior and senior teams and ensure that youngsters stepping into senior cricket will thrive.}

_{“We are blessed with a team of outstanding, experienced coaches who all fully embrace our aim to ensure that every player feels valued, connected and has the opportunity to achieve their potential at our club.}

_{“Our senior captain’s – Josh, Jen Cooper (women’s 1st XI), Steff Hunt (men’s 2nd XI), Helen Brock (women’s 2nd XI Matt Baker (3rd XI), Mateen Mohammed (4th XI) have also bought into our ethos of supporting our young players and also play an integral role in this.”}

_{The club plans to hold a parent’s meeting before the start of the season but if you have any specific questions before then please contact Luke on 07866882601 or at lukesellers@hotmail.co.uk}

_{If your son or daughter is interested in playing adult Saturday cricket this season, please get in touch with Luke.}

_{Women's Nets are underway at CLC on Sundays between 4-6pm, Senior men’s nets starts on Thursday February 13th the Cheltenham Leisure Cricket Centre and juniors who are keen to play adult cricket are welcome at both.}