The NCU this winter are to introduce a more professional structure based around the selection process of the under age group squads as well as the number of contact (coaching) hours that these squads will receive throughout the RDS programme. 

As cricket works through the transition from the amateur to the semi-professional era at senior men’s Inter-Provincial level, it is more important than ever to review what was previously done with regards to the selection of our under age group squads and the contact time/content that was being delivered. 

NCU Cricket Development Officer Nigel Jones said ‘if we are to evolve and develop the player pathway experience that will now underpin the new senior ‘First Class’ programme, we must be more accountable and informed about the players that are involved throughout our youth set up at RDS and NCU levels’. 

The 2013 RDS programme will not only include the usual boy’s U13, U15 and U17 squads, but also the reinstatement of the boy’s U11 squad and for the first time a girl’s U17 squad.  The selection process for these squads will be that clubs will be asked to nominate up to 3 players at boy’s U 11 and U 13 and up to 5 girls at Under 17 girls.

The boys Under 15 and boys Under 17 RDS’s is selected by a selection panel made up of coaches and selectors with knowledge of the boys. The U15 and U17 (boys) RDS squads have been selected and players will be notified directly from the NCU early in December. The RDS sessions will start in January/February of next year.

Clubs will also be asked to identify their nominations at U11 and U13 boy’s levels as well as U17 girls.  Once confirmation of the complete programme is available then this will be issued to clubs who will be able to advise their nominated players directly without any further delay.
 
Finally, for all those boys not initially nominated or selected for any of the RDS Squads, an announcement regarding “Play Smart” sessions and how these will operate will be made shortly. Clubs and players alike should note that those boys who attend these sessions will still have the opportunity to make their relevant Age Squads and that initially not being selected or nominated does not rule them out from achieving selection.