Player blog: Tom Hampton on his trip to Spain with the Tom Maynard Academy
22 March 2016
I was lucky enough to get put forward to go on a 10 day training camp to Desert Springs in Spain with the Tom Maynard Academy.
The timing worked out really well as it came just after our trip to Loughborough and just before the lads moved outside into the tent.
It was really nice to get a bit of sunshine and to be able to start coming off my full run-up after a winter in the sports hall.
The squad was made up of 12 players including people like Harry Podmore and Ryan Higgins from Middlesex, Ben Duckett (Northants) and Usman Arshad and Jamie Harrison from Durham.
Everyone was aged between 21 and 25 and had been identified by their counties as players who are still trying to make their way in the game and could benefit from the experience.
Pasty (Liam Norwell) and Matty (Taylor) have been before so I had heard good things about it.
We had one training session each day and also had the chance to play a bit of golf which was nice.
Although we worked hard it was nice to train in an environment that was a bit more relaxed. It was bit like a fresh start for everyone and the fact that no one was competing for places probably made you feel like there was a bit more freedom to try different things.
Ian Harvey was one of the coaches so it was nice to have a Gloucestershire link but apart from that I didn’t know anyone before going out. Matt Maynard was the head coach and we also had Paul Nixon, Mark Garaway and Jamie Dalrymple did some psych stuff with us on leadership and team dynamics.
Away from the cricket we went on a bike ride but had a few problems when a load of the chains came off! We also had a quiz one night which my team, which included Matt Maynard, Tim Rouse and Jamie Harrison managed to win.
We finished with a couple of games against a Spanish XI down at La Manga and managed to win both games. Overall it was a really good trip
Since coming back it has been great to move into the tent and I have been feeling good. My main aim this year is just to try and maximise the number of first team games I play. It was a bit frustrating at times last year with getting injured at the wrong time but hopefully if I can stay fit and strong I will have a chance to play more.
In the last few weeks we have had a few visits from the PCA (Professional Cricketers Association) which have been quite interesting. As well as an anti-corruption talk we also had an alcohol awareness workshop where they put these “beer goggles” and you get to feel what it is like to be drunk while you are sober.
It was quite funny to see how hard it was to do basic things like catch or even pick up a tennis ball up and really brought home the affect it can have on you.
It has been nice to spend the last few months getting to see a bit more of Bristol and my girlfriend and I feel really settled here now.
After all the hard work this winter I am now really looking forward to start of the season.
