Ten Templepatrick CC players named in NCU squads

Around 200 boys from more than 20 clubs took part in pre-Christmas training sessions at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, after which players were picked for regional squads at various age levels.

The TCC players selected were: Under-11 - Alex Darragh, David Kane, Aaron McCrea and Luke Styles; U13 - Nik Kane and Ewan Wallace; U15 - Harry Warke, Adam Clarke and Callum Styles; U17 - Andrew McCalmont (inset).

The selections highlight the success of the Ballyclare-based club’s youth coaching programme, which has steadily grown in popularity and quality. Each summer the club provides weekly coaching sessions for boys and girls aged from 4 - 16 years, all conducted by a dedicated team of qualified coaches.

The man behind the TCC youth coaching programme, Cricket Development Officer Andy McCrea, said: “I am delighted for all the boys who have been chosen for the NCU training and development squads, but it’s particularly pleasing to see so many Templepatrick players making the cut.

“It shows the success of our youth coaching programme and is very pleasing for our coaches, who put in so much hard work.

“We have a fantastic youth set-up at Templepatrick and try to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to play cricket.

“We are always trying to identify the cricketers of the future and to help them develop and improve their skills. This latest NCU selection process shows us that we’re on the right track, but we will continue to strive to improve our coaching programme in the years ahead and hopefully more and more of our young players will go on to earn representative honours.”

Indoor coaching sessions for the club’s youth teams will get under way in February, with outdoor coaching sessions for U11, U13 and U15 boys and girls scheduled to start at The Cloughan in early May.

For more information email [email protected], check out the club’s Facebook page or Twitter @tpatrickcc.