Youth – About the Talent Pathway
At Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, our Talent Pathway exists to identify, nurture, and support talented young cricketers from across the region, helping them to reach their full potential. Our well-established pathway provides players with the opportunity to develop in an elite environment, with the ultimate goal of producing first-class cricketers for Gloucestershire CCC and England.
The pathway is designed to support players through every stage of their development, from the Foundation Phase (U10-U12), through the Youth Development Phase (U13-U15), and into the Senior Development Phase (U16-U18). These phases work seamlessly together to prepare players for progression into our Emerging Players Programme and the Gloucestershire Academy.
Once part of the Talent Pathway, players benefit from access to a team of professional coaching staff, ensuring they receive the highest standards of training and guidance. As a county, we pride ourselves on building strong connections between our young players and the professional staff and facilities used by our 1st XI. This close integration allows players to gain invaluable insights into the demands of the professional game.
Our approach goes beyond honing cricketing skills. We are committed to developing players on and off the field, focusing on their mental, emotional, and personal growth. We aim to provide every young cricketer with not only the tools to succeed in cricket but also lasting positive experiences and a lifelong connection to the sport.
While only a small percentage of players will progress to an Academy place or receive professional contracts, we view success as much broader than these milestones. The lessons, skills, and memories that players take away from their time with us are just as significant.
Gloucestershire’s Talent Pathway has produced exceptional players such as James Bracey, Miles Hammond, and David Payne in recent years. These successes highlight our commitment to developing the next generation of cricketers, both for our county and beyond.
At Gloucestershire CCC, our mission goes beyond producing professional players. We strive to instil a love for the game, build resilience, and create an environment where every player grows as a cricketer and an individual. Whether their journey leads to a professional career or another path, we aim to ensure that every young person leaves our programme with fond memories and a deep connection to Gloucestershire Cricket.
Emerging Player Programme (EPP) Boys
The Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is an advanced stage within Gloucestershire’s Cricket Pathway, designed to nurture and develop talented young cricketers identified within the County Age Group system. Its primary objective is to select players who display the potential to progress to the Gloucestershire Academy and, eventually, to higher levels of the game.
Selection for the EPP is based on a player’s future potential, their current performance, and the likelihood that their skills can be refined and elevated to compete at more advanced levels of cricket. The programme provides these players with specialised coaching, access to enhanced resources, and individualised development plans to help them grow both on and off the field.
Every year 10-12 players, ranging from the U12 to U15 age groups, are chosen to join the EPP. With a large pool of players across these age groups, the selection process is highly competitive, with only around 10% of players from the pathway being offered a place in the EPP.
The Boys' EPP is led by Boys' Pathway Head Coach Paul Muchall. Since finishing his playing career with Gloucestershire, Muchall has played an integral part in coaching across all boys' age groups before being appointed full-time as Head coach for the boys’ talent pathway.
The EPP aims to create a structured yet flexible environment where emerging talent is allowed to flourish, ensuring that Gloucestershire continues to produce cricketers capable of succeeding at the highest levels of the game.
Emerging Player Programme (EPP) Girls
The Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is an advanced stage within Gloucestershire’s Cricket Pathway, specifically designed to nurture and develop talented young female cricketers identified within the County Age Group system. The programme focuses on selecting players who demonstrate the potential to progress to the neighbouring Tier 1 Academy (Glamorgan) and, ultimately, to compete at higher levels of the game.
Selection for the Girls’ EPP is based on a player’s future potential, current performance, and the likelihood that their skills can be refined and developed to succeed at more advanced levels of cricket. Players in the programme benefit from specialised coaching, access to enhanced resources, and tailored development plans that support their growth both on and off the field.
Each year, between 10-12 players, ranging from the U14 to U18 age groups, are invited to join the EPP. With a large pool of talented players across these age groups, the selection process is highly competitive, with only a small percentage of players from the pathway being offered a place.
The Girls’ EPP is led by Fran Wilson, whose wealth of experience at the highest levels of the game ensures players receive world-class guidance and support throughout their journey.
The programme provides a structured, yet adaptable environment designed to help emerging talent thrive. Gloucestershire is committed to producing cricketers capable of excelling at the highest levels of the women’s game while also building a lifelong connection to cricket.
Boys Academy
The Gloucestershire Academy is one of 18 first-class cricket academies in the UK, consistently developing talented players who captivate and inspire Gloucestershire fans.
In recent years, several players, including Archie Bailey, Luke Charlesworth, and Ollie Price, have successfully progressed from the Academy to the Gloucestershire 1st XI. They join a prestigious group of former Academy graduates such as James Bracey, Chris Dent, and Miles Hammond, who play crucial roles within the team, alongside established figures like David Payne.
The Academy attracts promising cricketers from Gloucestershire and nearby areas, offering opportunities to players between the ages of U15 and U18. Each year, less than 5% secure an Academy place, making the selection process incredibly competitive.
As the final stage of the Gloucestershire Talent Pathway, the Academy plays a critical role in bridging the gap between youth cricket and professional cricket, providing players with opportunities to prepare for and transition into 2nd XI and, ultimately, 1st XI cricket.
The Boys Academy is led by Boys Pathway Head Coach Paul Muchall, who since finishing his own playing career with Gloucestershire has played an integral part in coaching across all boys' age groups before being appointed full-time as Head coach for boys’ talent pathway.
The Gloucestershire Academy is driven by a commitment to:
Uncover and nurture the area’s brightest cricketing talents, guiding them on the path to becoming elite professionals who can proudly represent Gloucestershire.
Deliver a tailored, all-encompassing programme that develops growth not only in their cricketing abilities but also in their personal and mental development.
Empower players to leave the Academy as well-rounded individuals, prepared for success both on the cricket field and in their future career aspirations beyond the game.
About the County Age Groups
The County Age Group (CAG) setup is designed to develop and nurture young players, helping them grow into well-rounded individuals with the ambition to represent Gloucestershire and, potentially, England. We are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible for players to train, compete, and thrive within the game. Currently, we run teams across the following age groups:
U10s, U11s, U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s, and U18s
Players benefit from high-quality training sessions and fixtures that enhance their skills and understanding of the game within a high-performance environment. Tailored coaching programmes are delivered to each squad, ensuring players are prepared physically and mentally for the challenges of the season ahead.
To further extend opportunities, we also run Development Teams from U10s to U14s, allowing more players to stay involved for longer and continue their cricketing journey with regular training and match experiences.
As of winter 2024, the Girls’ Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is now being run under Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, as well as Gloucestershire County Women. From the summer of 2025, the Girls’ County Age Group Pathway will also move under the GCCC structure. We are excited to bring all pathway programmes together under one banner, creating a unified and inclusive system that ensures equal opportunities for all young players within Gloucestershire.
About our sponsors
The Boys Talent Pathway are delighted to announce the following sponsors for the 2024 seasons. We would like to thank these sponsors for all of their support and very excited to have them displayed on our playing shirts from U10s to our Academy sides.
Digby Associates – Front of Shirt Sponsor
Astra Security – Sleeve Sponsor
Bristol Fire – Back of Shirt Sponsor
Girls Pathway
The Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation run performance squads for girls from U11s to U18s. They run a similar programme with a Winter Training Programme followed by summer matches. They provide several opportunities for girls within the region to gain access to high quality coaching and facilities to develop their skills and talent.
You can find out more information regarding the Girls Pathway via the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation website here.
Safeguarding
For further information regarding our safeguarding policies, please click here.