Richard Almond, in charge of the Glamorgan Academy and Talent Pathways, speaks about a successful year for the academy at Sophia Gardens.
What has the 2024 season been like for the Academy and Pathway?
Overall, the season has been positive, with notable individual and team performances. The quality of cricket played by the juniors improves year after year, although the weather has been a challenge at times!
Players like Henry Hurle and Tom Norton shone last season and were rewarded with spots on the second team this summer. Are there any big names from this season to look out for next year?
There are many outstanding individuals in our Academy programmes. It was pleasing to see four Under 15s; Jacob Blades, Thomas Edwards, Rhys Pollitt, and Harry Wallace attend this year’s Bunbury Festival. We also had three players selected for the Under 17s Super 4s competition. These players show great potential, but there is still a long way to go, but being recognised by the ECB at this early stage is important, and their future looks bright. In addition, in the ECB Under 18 County T20 competition, we came joint top of our group but missed out on run rate to Warwickshire for a Semi-Final place, and in the ECB Under 18 County Championship Three-Day Competition, we played 5 games, drew 4 and lost 1. We also came top of the group in the ECB Under 16 County Cup losing to Surrey in the Quarter Final.
Jack Hope-Bell was awarded the Academy Player of the Season. What impressed you the most about him this year?
Jack is an exciting talent who has had a strong season, particularly in white-ball cricket. He began well at Clifton and maintained his form through the Under 18s programme, becoming the leading run-scorer in our South Wales group for the T20 competition. For the second team he scored 70 not out to win a 50-over match against Gloucestershire. He also performed well for Newport Cricket Club in the South Wales Premier Cricket League, contributing with the bat and ball as an off-spinner, and as a fielder. His three-dimensional skills on the field are invaluable in the modern game.
How important is it to maintain a free pathway system for potential cricketers joining the Academy?
It’s very important. We want to ensure that we aren’t missing anyone in our system by imposing financial barriers, which can affect some individuals. We will strive to maintain this for as long as possible to ensure that potential talent can come through. There have been recent changes in how our pathway programmes run.
What adjustments ensure that Cricket Wales and Glamorgan Academy continue to have one of the best pathways in the UK?
We have invested in finding the best coaches from around Wales and increased their contact time with players. Since restructuring the pathway five years ago, we have almost doubled the players’ contact time. With enhanced coaching quality and increased contact, we are moving in the right direction and will continue to produce more players like Ben Kellaway and Henry Hurle.