Big congrats to Gareth Townsend as the Surrey CCC Academy was given a 100% mark in its annual ECB review.
Here are extracts from an article posted on the Surrey CCC web-site:
Conducted by former England Chairman of Selectors David Graveney, the review concluded that Academy Director Gareth Townsend “should be commended on running an Outstanding Academy programme, which delivers on its objectives of developing cricketers and people.”
13 of the current Surrey CCC squad of 23 players have graduated from the Surrey Academy over the last decade, including England white ball opener Jason Roy, recent Test debutant Zafar Ansari, vice-captain Rory Burns and Tom & Sam Curran, who have both spent the winter with the England Lions.
Click here for a video of Gareth reflecting on Ansari’s recent England call up. The video also mentions the growth in the women’s game, Nat getting a mention : https://youtu.be/UpCgZBo5w5U
On top of their success developing male cricketers, the Academy has also seen female cricketers such as England all-rounder and Surrey Stars captain Natalie Sciver and Surrey CCC Director of Women’s Cricket Ebony Rainford-Brent graduate from their tutelage to play International cricket.
The report graded the Academy on three main categories: ‘Leadership and Management’, ‘Quality of Coaching and Learning’ and ‘Player Progression and Outcome’, with each being judged to be outstanding.
In the summary of their findings, the ECB judges comment that “Surrey will continue to drive their own standards forward”, adding that they consider the Academy to have a clear and well managed pathway, a committed and passionate work force and good financial resourcing.
Click here for the full article, (https://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-academy-given-100-by-ecb/), and a follow up article : https://www.kiaoval.com/townsend-praises-academy-staff/
Other Links:
* http://www.stokecc.co.uk/tag/gareth-townsend/
* http://www.stokecc.co.uk/tag/jack-townsend/
* http://www.stokecc.co.uk/tag/ben-townsend/
Apologies to current Stokers Jack and Ben Townsend who have grown a bit since the above picture was taken!