Gloucs unveil Academy squads

2 November 2009

David Payne and Chris Dent are two highly promising players to emerge from Gloucestershire's current Academy system

Gloucestershire have finalised their Academy set up for next season after revealing the details of their youth squads.

The Academy programme, which has identified youngsters in the region deemed suitable for the county’s emerging player and junior academy programmes, will begin on November 15 and continue throughout the winter.

The programme will also continue into the 2010 season where many of the youngsters assessed will hopefully be given second XI experience.

Academy director Owen Dawkins said: “This year’s players have now been selected and I am very excited about all the potential all our Academy players have.

“Our emerging players and junior academy went through a rigorous three-day trial, testing their cricket, mental and physical skills, as well as being assessed on their match performances during the summer.

“We are very proud of our Academy programme, which in 2009 saw players from the Academy, emerging player programme and junior academy achieve huge personal success.

“In 2009 a large number of Gloucestershire Academy players received regional recognition and seven players received different forms of national selection.

“Indeed, David Payne and Chris Dent are currently on tour in Bangladesh for England Under-19s.

“Three Academy players also made their first XI debuts; David Payne, Chris Dent and Mitchell Wilson. Chris Dent and David Payne have since signed full contracts for the club, an achievement we hope every Academy player aspires to.”

Gloucestershire Academy players for winter 2010:

Jack Taylor
Uzi Qureshi
Karan Kumar
Michael Beard
Mitchell Wilson
Alex Spencer
Graeme McCarter
Craig Miles

Part-time Academy scholars:

Curtis Blakemore
Liam Norwell
Paul Robins

Emerging players programme:

Lloyd Evans
Ben Ringrose
Joe Brimble
Patrick Grieshaber
Kieran Smith
Jacques Sharam

Junior Academy:

Joe Barrett
William Bull
Harry Hawkins
Daniel Matthews
Josh Megson
Andrew Tolson