Academy

The Glamorgan and Wales Cricket Academy is based at the National Cricket Centre in the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff. The Academy is made up of the best young players in Wales who are selected on a yearly basis by a panel of selectors. The players are all between the ages of 16 to 19 and in its seventh year there are currently 13 players on the Academy. The programme is overseen by Academy Director Richard Almond

The academy year starts in September where the players undergo an induction process, they are also screened medically and undergo a full battery of fitness tests. During the year the players will be involved in a full programme, including help with technical, tactical, physical, psychological and performance lifestyle aspects of the game.

During the winter period the players undergo three technical sessions per week, two group sessions and an individual session. These sessions are designed to help the players correct any technical faults as well as developing game plans for the competition period. Tactical awareness is also covered in the group sessions, players discuss topics such as field settings and different match scenarios.

The players undergo an individual psychological assessment with Steve Mellalieu, the academy sports psychologist and have the opportunity to work on a one to one basis with Steve throughout the winter. They also take part in a number of group workshops covering topics such as goal setting and pre-performance routines. Steve is also available to the boys during the competition period should any issues arise.

Ian Thomas the former Glamorgan player is now the ECBs' regional performance lifestyle advisor. Ian conducts a number of workshops during the winter on issues such as effective communication, media training and performance enhancing drugs education. Ian is also available to offer the players advice on time management and life skills ensuring the players get a holistic education while on the academy. One of the aims of the programme is to ensure the boys grow as people and not just as cricketers.

Rob Ahmun, Glamorgan’s physiologist looks after the players’ physical fitness. All the players undergo rigorous testing and have an individual fitness programme to follow. The programmes are tailored to suit their specific skill and fitness needs, programmes are regularly monitored and updated.

The academy competition period begins in April, with the players appearing for various teams depending on their ability. It is hoped that they will reach at least Wales Minor County standard before the academy season ends and, who knows, perhaps force their way into the 1st XI as several players have done in previous years.

During the last competition period, David Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Daniel Roberts and Imran Hassan all represented England at U15 level. Imran also represented England U16’s and James Harris played for the England U19’s at the U19 World Cup. Glamorgan currently have 10 former academy players on their professional staff.

These results are a testament to all the hard work the coaches from the academy and the Cricket Board of Wales have put in. I would like to thank all the coaches, academy support staff and our partners the Cricket Board of Wales and Wales Minor Counties for their continued support of the program. We aim to ensure we continue to produce the quality of person and cricketer we have thus far, to ensure the bulk of the Glamorgan team is made up of Welsh talent.

View the Academy Achivments .PDF to see all the players success