It is extremely rare for school cricket pitches to be in use as early as 4th April, but last week Repton welcomed the prestigious England Development Programme. Despite the time of year, Head Groundsman Mark Hillaby had already prepared an outstanding surface, worthy of hosting the game's future elite.
The ECB runs two major programmes at this time of year: the Performance Programme, for members of the England Lions who hope to represent England at test cricket in the coming seasons; and the England Development Programme, for the country's best cricketers aged 16-18, many of whom already hold professional contracts.
Repton hosted 12 members of the Development Programme, who were accompanied by ECB staff, including England U19's coaching team of Tim Boon and John Abrahams, ECB Performance Director Simon Timson, and England Lead Spin Coach, former England off spinner, Peter Such.
The visit forms part of our developing relationship with the ECB and the England Schools Cricket Association, which has also involved the School's 1st XI trialling the ECB's new performance tests at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough. The School has also selected as hosts for the 2011 England Schools U11 Finals, and 2012's very prestigious Bunbury U15 Regional Festival, a stepping stone for many future test match cricketers in recent years.
Posted on
Wed, April 13, 2011
by Repton School