Western Storm name 2022/23 Regional Academy players

Western Storm have today announced the selections for the Regional Academy programme.

Players from across Wales, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Cornwall and Devon were nominated and were put through their paces by top coaches from within the women’s game.

The Regional Academy Programme consists of a variety of practice and match opportunities across the region throughout the year, with players attending weekly Academy hub sessions which will give them the opportunity to develop their skills.

The Western Storm Academy will once again train at a multitude of places across our geographical landscape, with weekly localised hubs taking place at Seat Unique County Ground (Gloucestershire), University of Exeter (Devon), Sophia Gardens & Neath Cricket Club (Wales), and Millfield School (Somerset) across the winter.

Players selected onto the programme will receive a broad range of support sessions to further their development including technical support, tactical awareness, sports psychology and a strength & conditioning programme. The players will also receive both physiotherapy and medical support.

The twelve players selected onto the Western Storm Academy are:

Following the selections, Western Storm Senior Regional Talent Manager, Dan Helesfay said: “If there was ever proof that this region has some exciting potential talent coming through, this Academy intake is evidence of that.  With seven players transitioning on from last year’s Academy programme, to have four new joiners and eight retained players shows the competition is really healthy in the South-West and Wales.

“It’s so important for Western Storm to have a successful academy system because it provides the players with so many benefits. They will build skills for life, which will transfer into other environments beyond playing cricket, plus the opportunity to test themselves with a view of progressing to the Senior squad.

“What is also evident from previous years is that not only are the girls going back to their counties to represent them on the field, they are also taking back their learnings to help to help grow participation, along with getting involved in performance coaching.

“The women’s game is growing at a rapid rate and it’s great that there are so many opportunities now for girls to not only see it, but to be a part of it. It’s an exciting time for the game as girls can see previous year’s Academy players going onto push for professional contracts, as well as represent England Women U19’s.

“It’s great that we are able to work so well with all our counties and Cricket Wales so that geographical challenges don’t become a barrier to a player’s development. We have so many fantastic people within the region that allow the inner workings of a multiple-site programme to work to a level to give these players the appropriate support.  I certainly hope all these wonderful people know who they are and continue to do such a great job for their respective counties and for the region!”