Since November 2017, Hertfordshire Cricket has run a completely linked performance pathway for Boys from U10 to the Men’s 1st XI.
The following has been formulated after lengthy discussion and agreement with the ECB.
U10-U12 CHARLEY CRICKET
This is the entry point of the Hertfordshire County Cricket Performance Pathway.
A programme with winter training and summer intra-squad matches.
Research challenges the predictive value of early selection (pre-maturation), and there’s general agreement that the efficiency and effectiveness of talent identification improves with age. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that players of all ages benefit from effective talent development. In line with this some of the players are selected for extra Challenge Sessions.
U13- U15 COUNTY AGE GROUP (CAG) and COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
At U13 we start the year with a Performance Squad. We operate across various venues in the County in order to make training more accessible for all. This squad train throughout winter before a Summer County Age Group (CAG) squad is selected in February with the rest of the players continuing the year in our Development (DEV) Programme.
Organising the programme in this way allows for players to not only integrate with each other and learn from their peers over a longer period, but also access insight from a wider variety of coaches over the course of the programme. More coaches working with players helps with Player ID at this age (rather than selecting too early), as we are aware this is an age where physical and emotional changes occur more rapidly, which can affect performance.
At U14 Hertfordshire are running CAG and Development Programmes. The Development squad at U14 is split regionally for training purposes only and is the sole feeder into the CAG squads. Boys develop physically and mentally at very different rates. Therefore, Hertfordshire young cricketers will be moved between the Development and CAG squads dependant on what suits each individual at that time. Our remit is the development of each child and helping them become the best adult cricketer they can be.
At U15 we revert to a Performance Squad; this squad train throughout winter before a Summer County Age Group (CAG) squad is selected in February.
Winter indoor training for all takes place between October and March. In the summer CAG players will take part in official CAG fixtures; for Development players (U13 and U14) there will be training days involving match play scenarios and long and short format intra-squad matches. U15 programme runs predominately during the winter with a couple of summer intra-squad matches for the coaches to see how the players are developing.
U16- U18 COUNTY AGE GROUP
As of 2022 the ECB made U16s an official county age group. Winter indoor training for all takes place between October and March. In the summer there are ECB fixtures for both U16 and U18 squads. These take place after the GCSE and A level exam period.
EMERGING PLAYERS PROGRAMME (EPP)
The Emerging Players’ Programme (EPP) is an ECB Funded programme, which started in 2020. It provides high performance coaching to a select number of players within the Hertfordshire Pathway. The programme is then tailored to fit individual player needs across all facets of cricket. We work with both Essex and Middlesex in order to provide initial avenues into First-Class County Squads and Academies.
STAGS
Stags is our U23 / 2nd XI team and acts as a bridge between our junior pathway and Men’s 1st XI. Additionally, it gives an avenue for those performing well in league cricket who may not have been part of the pathway into the county system. They play a mixture of T20 and 50 over cricket taking part in the East of England Development competition.
MEN’S 1ST XI
This is the full representative side of Hertfordshire County Cricket Club. They compete in the National Counties Cricket Association (NCCA) T20, 50 over and 3-day Championship.
Ben Waring
Performance Lead
Hertfordshire Cricket Limited
September 2024
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