CRICKET SCOTLAND REGIONAL TRIALS 2025/2026
For the winter/summer 2025/26 programme, Cricket Scotland Regional Trials will continue to use the online video process, in partnership with Ludimos, to improve the accessibility for aspiring young cricketers to enter the Performance Pathway.
In previous years, only cricket clubs, schools, and other cricketing organisations have been able to nominate players, but this process will facilitate greater opportunities to be identified and allow coaches increased time per player to make informed decisions with a desire to remove potential bias.
Every year, Cricket Scotland receives hundreds of nominations for entry into its regional programme, meaning that some decisions regarding players are based on small sample size and a minimal number of trained eyes. The capability to offer personalised feedback was becoming a real challenge, and our coaches also wanted to spend more time observing and assessing players to understand their needs better.
Head of Performance Pathway Gordon Drummond said: "We remain committed to making the performance pathway in Scotland as agile, open and accessible as possible. This process has been another step in the right direction towards that commitment.
"Whilst many of our players come through traditional environments such as clubs, we are keen to look broader than that as we know so much talent exists in other areas. We want to empower young people – in whichever form of cricket they identify with – to put themselves in the shop window for pathway consideration, knowing they will all have an equal opportunity to do so."
WHAT IS THE REGIONAL PROGRAMME?
The regional programme is the first entry point onto the national pathway in Scotland. It is the developmental stage between club/school cricket and the National Youth Squads. The programme's primary three aims are:
- To create better opportunities to provide meaningful player development experiences which broaden the talent base.
- To build foundational skill sets and competencies that allow players to perform to their maximum capability over time.
- To inspire players to commit to lifelong engagement in cricket.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAMME OPERATE?
The programme operates three (4 training centres) regions – Caledonian Highlanders North & South, Eastern Knights and Western Warriors.
Each region operates a Boys' Under 15s and Under 17s team, and a Girls' Under 15s and Under 18s team.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Our regional programmes are open to players who were born, at school or live in Scotland or live outside of Scotland but have a Scottish Parent.
This process will be open for boys (u15s/u17s) and girls (u15s/u18s) who are are born on or after September 1st in 2010 (U15s), 2008 (U17s), and 2007 (U18s).
The nomination process will be open to anyone who matches the entry/eligibility criteria above. Details on how to apply and additional forms to be completed can be accessed via the links below. We have also provided a guidance sheet on what we want to see in the videos.
The deadline for nominations will be Friday 29 August 2025. Our coaches will review submissions during the week of 2 - 6 September 2025. After this point, players will be notified via email if they have been invited for further assessment, should they wish to continue. All unsuccessful applicants will be provided feedback on areas to develop.
