When Jersey international Asa Tribe was scoring runs for his country and the Cardiff UCCE (formerly MCCU) in 2023, the Club wasted no time in getting him on the 2nd XI towards the back end of the 2023 season. He impressed the coaches and management, and a decision was made on handing young Asa a professional contract at the Club.
This came as no surprise for people following the 2nd XI, Cardiff UCCE or Jersey Cricket. It was quite a start to Asa's life in the Welsh capital, where he moved to from the island in September 2022 to pursue a Sports Performance Analysis degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University, while playing in club and university cricket in South Wales with an aim to turn pro.
"The goal was to have a professional contract by the end of my degree in 2025, but to be handed one after only my first year at university was a surreal moment." Asa does not sit back and think about when he was offered a contract - not yet. "Yes, it was a great moment for me personally and professionally, but I now want to pay back the trust Glamorgan have shown. I want to be a regular in the first team and play all formats."
Coach Grant Bradburn spoke quite highly of the youngster. "Having worked with Scotland in associate cricket tournaments, I am aware of the quality and standard of these games, and am quite impressed with how Asa has started his international cricket career with Jersey. He has a lot of talent, and a very mature head."
The coach's faith paid off. Asa was a member of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup-winning squad, and scored back-to-back fifties against Yorkshire and Gloucestershire respectively in the final two Vitality County Championship matches. Opening the batting in both games, the right-handed batter saw the new ball off and built an innings with careful strokes and a solid defence - a sign of maturity and game-awareness.
"I did not have a great start to the season, but then I looked around the dressing room and saw some strong figures in the Club. Colin Ingram, Sam Northeast, Chris Cooke - that is the level I want to be at." The seniors helped him navigate the pressure of the professional game. "The two fifties I got have a lot to do with the coaching and mentorship I have gotten throughout the season."
Asa returns to university for his final year, while training at the indoor school of the stadium, and has also been involved with the off-season fitness camps, determined as ever to start the pre-season on a positive note come February.
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