Saffron Walden Academy
The Academy continues to thrive. It fielded fifteen teams last year plus a development squad. The u16s finished in 3rd place in their Matchplay group which is the highest ever finish in this competition. Within three years we hope to have our first u16 team qualifying for the knockout stages. The u11 and u12 teams won their respective CYCA leagues. Over 50 youngsters were nominated for district trials and 60% of them were successful. All those nominated have been invited to join our development squad for the winter. Joe Barrs became the first Academy player to become established in the 1st XI and others are close behind him. The 4th XI proved to be a highly successful innovation, securing 4th place in their league and often having to choose from too many players. We successfully retained our Clubmark status which is the quality mark of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
We fielded 17 teams in 2009 including two girls teams playing in CYCA boys leagues and we are looking forward to playing at the County High School where the club have secured a 30 year lease on the new Sports Pavilion and wicket.
With over 260 members and nearly 60 volunteers, the Academy is increasingly a force to be reckoned with on the field and our reputation as a welcoming, friendly club that understands the true spirit of cricket continues to grow.
David Barrs
Academy Director Evaluations of the 2009 season can be found here
