Youth Cricket
TOP Programme - Explained
TOP means 'Talent, Opportunity and Potential'. The TOP aim is to focus on the development of junior players (under 18) from within Bath Cricket Club to maximize their potential development and performances in relation to cricket as well as assisting in their overall personal development.
What role does the TOP programme play at
The TOP programme enables Bath CC to strengthen the club from within.
It assists in retaining promising players by actively taking an interest in both their cricket and personal development.
In the last 7 years the TOP programme has helped to produce some outstanding Bath CC players. TOP programme success stories playing for the mens 1st team are: Tom Stayt, James Campbell, Simon Merchant and
Who selects the TOP players?
TOP selection is decided by Robert Maggs &
Who can qualify for the TOP programme?
Any player (male or female) who is a current member of our club or is identified as a future club member, e.g. those players who are not in a position to play for the club at the present time due to school commitments, etc.
The players will be judged on performance and potential. Performance will be judged in the context of winning cricket matches and not solely on weight of runs, wickets taken, or dismissals achieved. Potential will be assessed by the player’s capability of playing at the highest level, examining five core areas: technical, tactical, physical, mental and lifestyle.
The number of members will be limited to a maximum of 16.
What can a TOP player expect ?
TOP players will have their development focused under the program with the aim to maximize their development into first grade and potentially representative cricket.
Each player receives an individually tailored program designed to concentrate and accelerate their cricket education.
They will have 20 to 25 sessions, consisting of individual 1 hour & group 2 hour coaching sessions, during the off season.
During the summer season players will be monitored and a reduced coaching plan will continue if the playing programme allows.
What does the future hold?
Bath are fully committed to continuing the hard work of the TOP programme to ensure Bath CC players reap the benefits on & off the field, and help create positive & ever improving teams leading to success.
Steve Griffiths Works With TOP Keepers
Three of Bath's youth wicket keepers had the opportunity to receive specialist coaching from Bath legend Steve Griffiths.
Steve played for Bath as a youngster before spending 5 years as a professional cricketer with Derbyshire CCC taking 5 catches on debut against Worcestershire. Despite this Steve cites his greatest moment as a professional cricketer being dismissing England legend Graham Gooch in both innings of his championship game at Chelmsford.
After finishing his career Steve helped Bath reach their second Lord's final in 2001.
Mark Thorburn Youth Coaching Co-ordinator said 'it's a fantastic opportunity for these young keepers to work with Steve, to get the chance to pick the brains of a guy who has reached the very top of the game is invaluable. We're incredibly grateful to Steve for giving up his time'.
Sam Mount Selected for the ECB U16 Elite Player Development Programme!
It is with great pleasure and a lot of pride that we can announce the selection of Sam Mount on the ECB U16 EPD Programme for this coming season.
Last month Sam joined 40 other players from around the country to go through a two days selection process at the ECB National Cricket Centre in Loughborough. During these grueling two days the hopefuls were put through a number of tests to assess not only their cricketing ability, but also their physical fitness.
Sam joins the other 11 successful candidates next weekend for the first of a number of sessions at the ECB HQ with cricketing legends John Abrahams and Andy Pick.
On hearing of his selection, Sam had this to say; 'I'm very honored to be selected for the Elite Player Development Programme, especially after just missing out on an
Please keep an eye on the website to see how Sam gets on next weekend at Loughborough.
TOP Programme 2007/2008
Bath CC are delighted to announce the start of their TOP programme for 2007/2008, which will this year see 7 of our most talented youth players receive regular 1:1 coaching throughout the winter, dealing with their specific needs to develop as players, before being monitored and mentored during the competition phase in the summer.
Those 7 players represent the cream of the U15 talent at the club, who are not already working as part of an ECB Academy, and their programme will be led by Youth Coaching Co-ordinator, Mark Thorburn, who will take the sessions along with fellow ECB Level 3 coaches Tom Baker and Rob Maggs.
TOP players are selected using a number of criteria, of which performance over the previous season(s) is a major factor. Other factors, such as attitude, desire, commitment and leadership are also considered in the hope that Bath CC can best help those who have really proved that they have all the attributes needed to get the most out of their opportunity.
In return, we hope that TOP players will have the ambition to play at the very highest level possible for Bath CC and then beyond. We want them to be leaders - not just in their performances, but also in the way that they play and train and inspire those around them.
TOP and ECB Academy players 2007/2008
Bath CC TOP programme:
Nick Green (U14), Rupert Morgan (U14), Henry Polson (U14), Eddie Robinson (U15), Tim Rouse (U12), Charlie Wills (U14), Frances Wilson (U16)
ECB Somerset Academy:
Beccy Williams (U19), Anya Shrubsole (U16)
ECB Junior Regional Academy:
Sam Mount (U15), Harry Rouse (U14)
ECB Women's Academy:
Sophie le Marchand (U19), Anya Shrubsole (U16), Beccy Williams (U19)
ECB (Female) Regional development Squad :
Izzy Westbury, Frances Wilson, Emily Robinson