Coach watching carefullyThe NCU this winter have organized Regional Development Squads at Under 11, 13, 15 & 17 age-groups.

This is essential to ensure that talent continues to flow from the union through to the national under age squads and in the years to come to the National side.

Already 20 sessions have been organized and commenced in 3 different locations before Christmas for 90 boys in the Under 15 age group and 66 boys in the Under 13 age group.

Cricket Ireland Talent Identification Officer, Ryan Eagleson, will assist fourteen local coaches, all Level 2, deliver the pre Christmas sessions.Ryan Eagleson talks to the boys

The NCU are being helped with the organization of the programme by Michael Hingston, currently working part time as a Cricket Development Officer with the Active Communities scheme.

Following the 20 sessions NCU Under 15 and Under 13 squads will be selected for more training after Christmas.

Apart from the above age groups the Under 11 and Under 17 squads commence their training sessions in the New Year.

There is an urgent necessity to ensure that this process becomes key to ensuring the continuity of high level of performance from our junior cricketers within the NCU area but also becomes an essential part of Cricket Ireland’s way forward in ensuring talent continues to flow from our provincial union through to the national under age squads and in years to come to the National side.

More Photos:

Boys at catching practice  Coaches watching the boys  More netsNice action