MCC boosts commitment to UCCEs

Andrew Strauss, currently leading England in South Africa, is the most famous graduate of a UCCE: Durham

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Talented young English players will have a greater opportunity to follow in the footsteps of England captain Andrew Strauss after MCC announced a three-year investment of over £1.5million in the six MCC University Centres of Cricketing Excellence.

Strauss is a product of Durham UCCE, along with Durham skipper Will Smith, while Glamorgan’s Jamie Dalrymple (Oxford) and Essex’s Mark Pettini (Cardiff) are other county captains to attend UCCEs.

The new deal will take MCC’s financial commitment to Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Leeds/Bradford, Loughborough and Oxford UCCEs to more than £4.5million since 2005, when it took over as the sole funder and administrator from the ECB.

Between 2010 and 2012, MCC will give the six centres £225,000 each to run their playing programmes and to ensure they can provide top-class coaching structures and facilities to students.

MCC will also spend over £150,000 on MCC University tournaments, tours, training and its participation in the ECB Second XI Championship.

Loughborough UCCE will receive an additional £15,000 next year towards the continued development of its women’s programme.

The whole investment package will be subject to an annual review, with clear objectives being set for each centre.

The MCC committee decided to continue the funding as part of the club’s commitment to grassroots cricket and as a result of the UCCE scheme’s impressive results.

In 2009, 34% of all English-qualified professional cricketers had attended a university, 18% of which had come through the MCC university system.

MCC’s head of cricket John Stephenson said: “MCC is passionate about its role in university cricket and we are delighted to be able to continue our investment in the MCC university centres, who have a proven track record in producing excellent, well-rounded cricketers.

Former Oxford student Jamie Dalrymple said: “I am delighted that MCC will continue to invest in university cricket"

“MCC thinks it essential that the professional pathway continues to be open to aspiring cricketers who wish to continue their education. Not all players develop at the same rate and not all players will ultimately make the grade.

“In being given access to the very best facilities and coaching, in addition to their degree, cricketers at an MCC University can ultimately achieve on two levels.”

David Graveney OBE, the ECB’s national performance manager, who carried out a review of the six MCC universities throughout 2009, added: “I have been continually impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by all involved in the MCC Universities.

“The UCCE coaches are outstanding, and the student’s commitment to training would dispel a few illusions of the ‘cushy University life’.

“By their support of the UCCE programme, MCC plays a vital role in creating an environment for gifted and talented athletes to prosper.”

England one-day international Dalrymple said: “I am delighted that MCC will continue to invest in university cricket.

"My experience at Oxford UCCE was very beneficial to my career and the level of guidance I received at university was at least on a par with that at my previous county.

“The rate of my development during those three years was probably only matched in the professional game when I was able to attend the National Academy at Loughborough.

“The role of the MCC universities in providing a start point for cricketers who can develop their game, whilst also improving their long term prospects, is hugely important to them in their careers and to the health of the game as a whole.”