The hard work begins now for the Northern Jets after the squad was confirmed for the 2019 season.
Following a series of three trial days, head coach James Lowe selected a main squad of 15 players to move forward with into next year.
The squad has a number of familiar faces including Layla Tipton & Helen Fenby, who have already featured for Yorkshire Diamonds in the Kia Super League, as well some of the best up-and-coming talent from across Durham, Northumberland & Cumbria.
Last Sunday (16 December), the Northern Jets Regional Development Centre, based out of & run by Durham CCC, convened for an induction and skills session as a precursor to their main schedule, which begins in early January.
2019 is the first season in which the setup is officially recognised as an ECB Regional Development Centre, one of eight such centres in the country.
Former Durham player Lowe, who featured in nine first-class matches for the county between 2003 and 2006, has added a wealth of experience and knowledge to his coaching staff as the programme aims to build upon positive progress made over the last two years.
England women’s international star Danielle Hazell, ex-Durham bowler and current coach Neil Killeen and former all-rounder Will Gidman will provide specialist support alongside Marsha Davies, Rachel Hopkins and Mick Armstrong.
The squad can also call on dedicated strength and conditioning coach James Bell, who will help to provide a well-rounded programme in Durham’s first year as a Regional Development Centre.
“We finalised the squad and we’re really happy with it. All of the girls performed really well but we’re happy with the squad to move forward into the winter practice,” Lowe said.
“It’s the third year now and will be our first as a Regional Development Centre. To gain such status is a huge achievement & we’re hugely thankful to the Club for their ongoing & continued support for the programme.
“The standard is going up and up, which makes our job a lot harder, but it means that we’re doing the right things and the girls are responding to the work we’re doing.
“We’re really trying to add extra expertise to give the girls the best opportunity to develop their skills. Dani Hazell is coming back after the Big Bash to work with the girls, Neil Killeen will be working with the fast bowlers and we’ve had Gareth Breese working with the spinners.
“We’ll be forming development plans for each of the players which is going to be done over the break and they’ll be getting stuck into some practice both on the physical side and skill development work in between Christmas and the start of the season.
“Our aim is to continue to make big improvements and push their games forward ahead of the start of the season.”
Northern Jets 2019 squad: Bailey Wanless, Lizzie Scott, Layla Tipton, Ellie Tiffin, Ruby Hutchison, Harriet Robson, Annie Anderson, Jenny McDowell, Katie Chomse, Bethany Walker, Alice Heaton, Maddy Atkinson, Hollie Forsyth, Eve Thomas, Helen Fenby
Northern Jets 2019 development players: Olivia Brinsden, Lucy Hughes, Ciara Boaden