News

Mark Thorburn has been appointed Interim Head of Talent Pathway

27 September 2022

Mark Thorburn has been appointed Interim Head of Talent Pathway at Gloucestershire Cricket. 

In the last week of the 2022 domestic season, Mark takes the pathway reins at Glos with a remit to search for and develop talented cricketers from the age of 10 upwards. 

Mark joined the Gloucestershire Cricket staff in 2006 as an analyst and has been developing his coaching career continually, most recently filling the positions of Fast Bowling Coach and Head of Analysis. He completed his Level 4 Elite Coaching qualification in 2012 and has, in recent years, gone on to become one of the highest qualified coaches on the county circuit after gaining a Masters degree in Sport, Strength and Conditioning. 

Mark will use his extensive knowledge of the professional game to shape the direction of a talent pathway programme that hopes to unearth a new crop of outstanding cricketers in the Club’s region, to follow in the footsteps of former youth and Academy system graduates Chris Dent, James Bracey and most recently the Price brothers, Tom and Ollie, who have had breakthrough seasons in 2022. 

Commenting on the new appointment, Steve Snell, Gloucestershire Cricket Performance Director, said: 

“Mark has a vast all-round skill set and an intimate knowledge of the Club which will stand him in good stead for the role. He is a progressive and thoughtful leader and has some excellent ideas of how he can impact the pathway over the coming period. I am extremely confident that he will continue to foster improvement and increase connectivity throughout our talent development system.  

“It is imperative that Gloucestershire Cricket continues to develop our own players and play a pivotal role in making sure that our player pathways are thriving, are accessible and that our talent can successfully transition not only into the professional game but also help to reinforce the club cricket system with high quality cricketers. 

Mark Thorburn said:

“It is a great honour to have this opportunity as Gloucestershire have a rich history of developing their own players that have gone on to represent the club and in recent times we have had David Payne and James Bracey go on to represent England.

To be in a position where I can lead and influence players is really exciting. I'm particularly looking forward to getting the chance to support the lads in the pathway system and helping develop our coaches and staff."

Mark’s first few weeks in the post will include oversight of the Academy and Emerging Player’s Programme (EPP), together with the final selection of county youth winter training squads, in preparation for the 2023 season. He will also be tasked with developing new and untapped pathways into the junior county system in Bristol and beyond, and will work closely with clubs across Gloucestershire and partners such as ACE (the African Caribbean Engagement Programme) to give opportunities to those to find a route into the game.

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