Performance Course / Academy Scholarships

 
 
In 2008 Cricket Scotland in partnership with Edinburgh's Telford College established the year long Cricket Performance Course and awarded Academy scholarships to seven players.  The programme offers some of  Scotland's best young players the opportunity to train full-time while remaining in further education.  After a successful first year which saw six of the seven players represent Scotland at senior level (two at full team, and four at Lions level), scholarships have been awarded for 2009-2010.  Four players remain on funded places for a 2nd year of the programme, and a futher two players have been offered 1st year scholarships.
 
The programme aims to take a wholistic approach to player development and course content includes:
 
Cricket skills sessions
Individual Strength & Conditioning Programmes
Speed Development & Flexibility
Active Recovery
Mental Skills (sports psychology)
Overseas Academy Placement (India / Sri Lanka in 2010)
 
Although the programme focuses mainly on cricket specific development there are also educational opportunities included within the course framwork.  1st year players throughout the year study for SQA Higher National Certificates in:
 
Fitness Testing for Sport
Resistance Training for Sport
Sports Coaching Theory and Practice
 
2nd year players are able to select an educational pathway of their own chosing, and a timetable is fitted in around their cricket committments.
 
Places on the Performance Course are awarded by Cricket Scotland on an invitation only basis, and the 2009-2010 intake of players is:
 
Year 2 Players
 
Matthew Parker (Scotland, Scotland Lions, Academy & Arbroath CC)
Marc Petrie (Scotland, Scotland Lions, Academy & Arbroath CC)
Calvin Burnett (Scotland Lions, Academy & Arbroath CC)
Willie Rowan (Scotland Lions, Academy & Greenock CC)
Keith Morton (Scotland Lions, Academy & Penicuik CC) (self-funded)
 
Year 1 Players 
 
Patrick Sadler (Scotland U18, Royal High Corstorphine CC)
Thomas McBride (Scotland U18, Dumfries CC)
 
 
Craig Wright
Performance Development Manager