The Glamorgan Development Programme began their winter sessions at the ECB high performance centre in Loughborough last weekend.
Strength and Conditioning coaches Tom Turner and Rob Shields joined Adrian Shaw, Richard Almond, David Harrison and psychologist Mike O’Brien to meet up with the young Glamorgan Academy players to start this year’s programme with an intensive set of sessions including fitness work, class room activity and plenty of nets.
“It’s a real benefit to the players to go up to Loughborough,” said Head of Talent Development Richard Almond. “There are world class facilities there and the opportunity to get the guys together for a sustained period of time is an unique experience.
“Most of the players have not been there before but hopefully they will get a taste of what it’s all about and make use of the facilities there before being selected for national programme when they’ll return, so to spend a weekend up there is hugely beneficial.”
Three of the development programme girls have been selected for the Western Storm’s winter training programme, whilst four of the boys have progressed on to the Cardiff Metropolitan University, so they will continue their cricket development with Cardiff MCCU and Mark O’leary.
Two new players will join the programme this winter in their place, wicket-keeper batsman Lorenzo Machado and north Walian fast bowler Roman Walker.
As a fast bowler Roman, who is a product of the work Adam Shantry is doing through the satellite programme at Shrewsbury, will be supported in his development by Steve Watkin. Lorenzo Machado, a South African by birth, has been in south Wales for a couple of years and scored 50 runs for Glamorgan Second XI in the Championship this season.