Pathways Update

The Pathway Landscape

Views from Head of Talent Pathway Matt Dando-Thompson

It’s been a whirlwind last 6-8 months across the pathway, and December’s looming festivities represent the ideal time to pause and reflect before the 2026 season descends in the rear-view mirror.

Regional Cricket

The regional programme has undergone strategic restructuring across several areas, beginning with Glamorgan CCC’s introduction of the Early Engagement Phase programme (EEP) in 2025/26 for boys and girls aged U10-U12. This ECB-mandated initiative, stemming from the ICEC report recommendations, delivers year-round developmental opportunities during both winter and summer months.

In response to the national funding landscape, we’ve reimagined our regional programme to ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness. Following careful review, we’ve realigned our age group structure, with regional cricket now focusing on U10s – U14s for boys, and U13s and U15s for girls. This strategic approach maintains a broader talent pool at younger age groups, particularly important before players enter Glamorgan County Age Groups (CAG),  ensuring we build strong foundations before specialisation. Glamorgan’s comprehensive identification systems provide excellent coverage for emerging talent at all stages, whilst the EEP now serves as the entry point for girls into the pathway. This creates developmental fluidity with multiple entry and exit points during crucial formative years.

The regional programme remains fundamental to our national pathway. It’s where young cricketers develop their passion for the game alongside their clubs, where essential skills are cultivated, and where players experience cricket’s full spectrum of challenges and rewards. This stage has played fundamental roles in the careers of Ben Kellaway, Ben Morris, Henry Hurle, Callum Nicholls, Romano Franco, Tom Norton, Seren Smale, and Sophia Smale over the past decade, alongside numerous others. With recreational cricket thriving at record participation levels, our commitment to this programme continues to strengthen, providing vital early development through strong partnerships with clubs, parents, and stakeholders across the sporting community.

We’ve made excellent progress in enhancing inclusivity and accessibility. Our video nomination process for older age groups is now well-established in its second year, and this winter marked our first year of open applications across U10-U12 age groups. Combined with a standardised talent identification framework, these initiatives ensure every player with potential has the opportunity to enter the pathway. This progressive approach has garnered recognition from sporting organisations across Wales, and we’re committed to maintaining our leadership in this area.

This summer brought organisational changes as Ian Williams and Andrew Walker transitioned after five and three years respectively of valuable contributions to programme administration. Andrew’s move to lead Glamorgan’s EEP for boys and girls strengthens collaboration between our organisations, creating an aligned national pathway that maximises our collective impact. Ian continues contributing his expertise as a regional coach, exemplifying our commitment to retaining talented people within the system, the same principle applies to Rachel Warrenger and Carl Holding, who maintain part-time pathway roles.

We’re pleased to welcome Peter Ingram to the pathway team in a full-time capacity over the past six weeks, overseeing the South & East regions. Sam Painter, our longest-serving pathway team member, now holds full-time responsibility for North & West regions.

Wales National County

Following back-to-back T20 victories against Gloucestershire at Usk in June, the 2025 season demonstrated our continued role as a vital development platform. Whilst we didn’t progress from our 50-over group or achieve promotion in the three-day championship, our success increasingly manifests in the progression of young players into professional cricket, several mentioned above now competing at higher levels.

As the only national county with a first-class county within our borders, we navigate unique circumstances that shape our approach. The busy U18, 2nd XI, and professional calendar means Wales NC often operates with rotating squads rather than settled XIs, highlighted by the fact that we’ve utilised more players than any other county over the past three seasons. This reflects the constant challenge between our developmental philosophy and obtaining better on field results. When a Jack Hope-Bell type player is available for example, and scores his maiden national counties century, we select him. When Ben Morris, Will Smale or Henry Hurle – all Wales NC graduates – can contribute their quality, they play.

Looking forward, there’s considerable promise on the horizon. Cian Davies and Ollie Rayner registered maiden national counties centuries and five-wicket hauls respectively, establishing themselves as part of the next generation. Asim Hameed and Joseph Davies have shown similar potential, whilst Zac Williams, Jacob Blades, Josh Hollinshead, Harry Wallace, Lewis Popple, Tom Edwards, and others who’ve progressed through the Welsh system and won CAG titles with Glamorgan are poised to make their mark at this level over the next 18 months we hope.

Brad Wadlan’s commitment to another season brings valuable experience as he spends more time in South Wales. Brad’s leadership perfectly supports our current squad’s development trajectory, and enhanced Glamorgan presence on matchdays will further strengthen our partnership. As one of national counties cricket’s most accomplished performers, Brad will contribute on the field when appropriate in three-day and 50-over formats, alongside Cameron Herring’s excellent leadership in those formats.

Wales NC North continues fulfilling its important role as a pathway into the senior side and a development hub for North Walians. Since launching in 2022, eight North Wales players have progressed to Wales NC representation, a testament to the programme’s effectiveness. Joe Norman and Jac Kennedy the latest to make appearances alongside a red ball debut for Matt Ryan.

We extend our appreciation to our host clubs for their outstanding hospitality each summer, and to all sponsors and partners for their valued support. As Valero Energy concludes four years as principal sponsor, we’re grateful to JAR Site Solutions (senior side) and Watkin Property Ventures (Wales NC North) for their renewed backing through 2026 and beyond.

Disability Performance Cricket

The 2025 season marked a significant transition as Les and Jenny Randall concluded 11 years of managing our disability cricket teams. Their dedication and commitment have profoundly impacted numerous players’ development both in cricket and in their wider lives, and we’re deeply grateful for their contribution.

We’re delighted that experienced coach Steve Maddock now leads the programme, coaching both 1st and 2nd XI squads as we build on recent strong performances in ECB competitions. Michael Weathersby secured his third consecutive Disability Premier League draft place with Pirates in 2026 and has represented England Deaf; we’re optimistic about additional players approaching selection readiness in due course.

Player recruitment represents our primary focus and opportunity. We’re actively welcoming players with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, amputees, partial sightedness, and/or deafness. Many eligible players participate in recreational cricket who could benefit from joining our programme, and with an excellent group already involved across our squads, this is an ideal time to engage with disability cricket and explore what the programme offers.

Looking Ahead

Across all pathway programmes, we’re entering 2026 with clear direction, strong partnerships, and renewed energy. The strategic developments implemented this year position us well to nurture Welsh cricket talent and create meaningful opportunities for players at every level.

Diolch all!