11th October 2014
| Mallory Gray
The Glamorgan Development programme has been enlarged to give best opportunities to the most talented
Heather Knight - Chance To Shine Ambassador
Five girls have been selected on the Development Programme for the first time.
England Cricketer Heather Knight welcomes girls into the Glamorgan Development Programme
Glamorgan Cricket is delighted to confirm the names of the 17 players selected for the 2014/15 Development Programme including, for the first time, five girls within the intake.
Three players, Kiran Carlson, Prem Sisodiya and Mujahid Ilyas, play league cricket for the Cardiff CC side that has been hugely successful in 2014, lifting the Welsh Cup, South Wales Premier League 1st and 2nd Division Championships plus the Vale of Glamorgan Midweek T20 Cup this season.
Connor Brown, from Pentyrch CC, who lifted the Alan Lang Most Improved Development Player of the Year Award at the Glamorgan and St Helen's Balconier's awards night at the end of September, is retained from last year, alongside Kiran, Sam Pearce (Bridgend CC) and Steffan Roberts (Maesteg CC).
Also selected for the Programme are Joe Voke (Sudbrook CC), Lucas Carey (Pontarddulais CC), Gareth Ansell (Chepstow CC) and Chris Matthews (Tondu CC), whilst Tom Murphy (Cresselly CC) follows the footsteps of his older brother Jack, who has progressed through the programme to be registered with the Glamorgan first team, alongside other recent graduates, Jeremy Lawlor, Dewi Penrhyn Jones, Aneurin Donald, Kieran Bull and Andrew Salter.
Scott Thornton (Newport CC) is the twelfth member of the Programme and is joined by his sister Jessica, along with Georgia Parfitt, Rose Evans, Charlotte Scarborough (all Newport CC Girls) and Alex Griffiths (Port Talbot CC). Both Jessica and Alex have been selected onto the England Women's U15 Development programme for this winter.
England Cricketer and Chance to Shine Ambassador Heather Knight was in Cardiff this week to congratulate the five girls and to run a session with them. Rose Evans was discovered through the Chance to Shine programme, highlighting the valuable role the charity plays in helping nurture young talent.
Glamorgan's Head of Talent Development Richard Almond said, "This is an exciting time for young Welsh cricketers to be involved in the Glamorgan and Cricket Wales age grade cricket system."The Club's strategy to identify and develop the next generation of Glamorgan stars is vital. We've seen six home grown players go on to have contracts with Glamorgan over the last couple of years and two made their debuts this year in the first team. Clearly there is talent among boys and girls in Wales and the system is working.”