TOO many young cricketers are falling through a gap in the scouting system and it is affecting the talent pool for international selection.
That was the message broadcast this week as a North-East college pledged to do its bit to keep talented youngsters in the game.
Gateshead College called on the influence of international cricketer Paul Collingwood to help launch their Cricket Development Centre, which will work in partnership with Durham Cricket Board to provide training, coaching and playing opportunities.
The Shotley Bridge all-rounder was clearly talented in his youth, enough to catch the eye of Durham, who at that stage had just become a first-class county.
But there is a startling drop-off rate between the ages of 15 and 24. Most talented youngsters discover the attraction of socialising and drinking, cricket becomes a hobby and a potentially lucrative career is put to one side.
Gateshead College's scheme aims to keep people in education through sport, and vice versa. Simply put, if a player is good enough, this course can put you on the map.
Collingwood was not swayed by distractions as a youngster growing up in Shotley Bridge, with his parents both involved in their local cricket club, and older brother Peter taking Collingwood junior under his wing.
And Collingwood remembered: "I was fairly ambitious when I was younger but I made sure that I got my A-levels. That's the great thing about this link with Gateshead College in that those in the cricket academy can also combine playing with studying.
"My main goal in life back then was not to become an art student or a PE teacher, as I was focused on becoming a cricketer."
The Cricket Development Centre, based at Gateshead College's multi-million pound Academy for Sport, will provide a two-year programme for 16-18 year olds.
They will receive nine hours training each week from Durham County's cricket community coach and Gateshead College's Academy for Sport coaches, which will include video analysis, nutrition, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, technical and tactical training as well as net practice.
Any full-time Gateshead College student can become a member of the centre but the college will be offering Level 2 and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Cricket Studies from September this year. They will also study towards the Level 1 Coaching qualification.
There are 24 places in the Cricket Development Centre and members will be able to pursue work experience and volunteering with Durham Cricket Board in order to provide them with the best possible career prospects on qualifying.
Lewis Pendleton, sports academy manager at Gateshead College, said: "The opening of our Cricket Development Centre represents another move by Gateshead College to position our Academy for Sport at the forefront of sport education in England.
"We're delighted to have Paul Collingwood on board to support us with the launch and to give the students an insight into his career.
"We are committed to offering young people the best possible sport opportunities and will ensure that all of our cricket students gain the knowledge, experience and skills needed to succeed in their future careers."
For one student, the course is a second chance to make his name as a cricketer.
Owen Lancaster, 19, came up through the ranks at Durham but was released. Now, enrolled on Gateshead College's course, he is confident he can make the best of the opportunity.
He said: "I was already at Gateshead College sports academy when I was told about the cricket academy. It was a big opportunity for me and I was interested straight away. We need more people to find out about it though.
"I was at Durham's academy for many years, but for me, this is a second chance to give it another go. It's a brilliant opportunity for the likes of Durham to have a look at players who perhaps have not been spotted, and give them a chance.
"Since I was old enough to walk and hold a bat, my dad had a cricket bat and ball in my hand. We played in the corridor at my house. It was small but that's how I got into it and I've always stuck by it. I enjoy it as much now as I did then. It's a living now."
As well as talent, cricketers need fortune on their side - as Collingwood only knows too well.
Collingwood was part of a crop of teenagers coming through the ranks - Durham coach Geoff Cook said of him: "Paul had talent when he first came to Durham. But I don't think he had any more than a number of lads who came through with him at the time.
"It certainly wasn't a case of seeing Paul in the Under-17 team and thinking, ‘There's an England player of the future'. It was more a case of thinking, ‘There's a player who might have a chance if he works with us'."
And Collingwood said: "There were plenty of others that I knew who had the talent but drifted away from the game - you get that in any sport."
"However, sometimes you need that little bit of luck. It's harsh to say that but that is the difference in whether you make the grade or not.
"You might be seen on a day where you score a fantastic innings but not on other days.
"Hopefully, we have a system in cricket where you have more than one opportunity to prove to people that you are a good player.
"I think with initiatives like this it's a great kind of partnership to have for the young guys to proves to others how good they really are."
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