After going through a trial process and impressing for their local clubs, Durham’s U14 and U15 squads have been preparing for the summer ahead at Barnard Castle School.
After five weeks of indoor practice, the lads finally got out onto the field and had two full days of real matchplay conditional training across two weeks.
Lead Performance Coach, James Lowe, expressed how valuable days like this are for preparing players for the new season and says the programme is always improving.
“Certain parts of pre-season are unrealistic in terms of them being able to play on grass when the games come around towards the end of April,” he said.
“It’s brilliant that we can use this facility, we’re really grateful to Barnard Castle School to be able to practice on grass, where we can set up little scenarios and little challenges for the lads to do in terms of bowling, fielding and batting.
“In terms of realistic match day practice, this is brilliant preparation for the lads.”
With the programme always improving, James is confident that the squads will be better prepared in the future.
“It’s the first time we’ve done this and it’s a great development for the programme, a real step forward. I think these lads will go into the season better prepared than any of the other squads in recent times.
“The lads have been great and have applied themselves and I’m sure they’ll have loved the days we’ve had.”
Under 15’s wicketkeeper Tom Ward, has praised the training programme, claiming it will help the lads get off to a better start this season.
“Training here, it’s similar to an early season wicket because you get inconsistencies and can see where the fielders are. You’ve got match like situations and it really helps prepare you for the early season because you’re eased into it.
“It’s a really good opportunity for us, it’s much better than in the past because it’s giving us a better chance to start the season well.”