Durham Academy will visit the United Arab Emirates in January to compete in the under 17 boys section of the Gulf Cup.
14 boys from across the region have been invited to represent Durham in the tournament including 2 boys from Cumbria and 2 boys from Northumberland.
Durham has developed a relationship with cricket in that area over the past 20 years. Well over 100 young players, boys and girls, have benefited from the experience.
Scott Borthwick captained the first group to visit in 2003, with Ben Stokes and Matthew Potts also attending when they were under 15. Ben McKinney was part of the last victorious squad to visit, winning the under 17 tournament.
It is a magnificent experience for all the players and provides a fabulous opportunity to develop cricket skills whilst experiencing a different culture.
The team will be based in Ajman playing at venues across the UAE.
Tour party: Charlie Franklin – Gateshead Fell. Zac Smith – Whitburn, Jack Dalton – Crook, Jim Twiddy – Durham City, Thomas Briggs – Durham City, Ben Coleman – Durham City, Isaac Tate Rockliffe Park, Lucas Nixon – Boldon
Mahad Uzair – South Shields, Teddy Minto – Norton, George Gray – South Northumberland, Will Alexander – South Northumberland, Faizan Ghumann – Furness, Zac Mawdsley – Haverigg
The tour will be led by John Windows, Academy Director, supported by Cole Pearce and Stuart Poynter.
The team will leave on 2 January spending 10 days in the Gulf.
The boys are now fund raising for the trip. If you would like to support the tour or know of anyone that would please contact John Windows at John.windows@durhamcricket.co.uk