Over 40 students from Taunton School have made the cut in the latest round of county cricket selections. Meanwhile, Year 10 student Ben Chaffey has been selected to tour Sri Lanka with the Somerset County U15 team.
Both boys and girls ranging from 9 to 18 years have been selected for county, district, academy and international squads, including Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and as far as Hong Kong.
Director of Cricket Pete Sanderson said: “This is the biggest number of players we have had and it has doubled in the last two years. The provision we have for excellence has increased with more 1-1 coaching sessions and more group sessions throughout the year, and the change in facilities has also been significant.”
Pete added: “This year particularly there is a considerably higher number of players on specific excellence coaching programmes such as PSPP, EPP and Bowling, which are all above county level. I’m extremely proud of all the students for their hard work and commitment on the cricket programme here at School.”
One of the school’s most promising players is Year 10 student Ben Chaffey, who has been chosen to tour with Somerset County Cricket Club in Sri Lanka this week. Ben is currently in Somerset’s Under 15 youth squad.
Pete Sanderson said: “Ben has this fantastic opportunity to represent Somerset U15s on a 10 day tour. He has been practicing hard at school and with Somerset particularly playing spin and on slow pitch types and I am sure he will do us proud.”
Marcus Trescothick, Head of Cricket Development at Taunton School, has helped Ben to prepare for tour. He said: “Ben has been working very strategically on preparing himself, working hard at how to play against spinners and adjusting to a different type of cricket, but at the same time getting himself in great shape for the tough Sri Lankan climate. I’m sure he’ll do brilliantly and gain lots of valuable experience.”
All players at Taunton School benefit from regular sessions with Pete Sanderson and Marcus Trescothick. In addition, many visiting coaches from Somerset County Cricket Club have delivered training sessions, including new Somerset signing Jack Brooks who recently delivered some bowling classes.
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