This Is Guernsey

BEN McVEY and David Hooper are both in La Manga, Spain, this week for the ICC European Centre of Excellence.

The two 16-year-old Sarnians are part of the squad of the most promising 27 cricketers in Europe. ‘It’s fantastic and it gives them a great opportunity to play with other cricketers from all round Europe,’ said the island’s development officer, Jason Shambrook.

Elizabeth College student McVey is a leg-spinner who can bat while College of Further Education’s Hooper is also an all-rounder. They join a group of participants all aged between 13 and 17 who are from 14 European countries.

These include Europe’s top-three associate members Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland and Guernsey’s fellow affiliate member countries such as Cyprus, Spain and Switzerland.

It is the third consecutive year that the five-day camp has been held at La Manga.

The resort’s cricket facilities include two pitches with artificial wickets and a four-bay artificial net facility.

The ICC Europe coaching team consists of five people who will lead sessions on batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping.

Focus will also be placed on physical conditioning, tactics and leadership.

McVey and Hooper are joined by Sark cricket coach Lewis Heald who will act as one of the centre’s 14 leaders who assist with the coaching.

Two of the centre’s top coaches are Roland Lefebvre, who is national youth coach for the Netherlands and former first-class cricketer, and Mickey Lund, who is a current member of the Danish national side.

The week has been organised by ICC European development officer Richard Bedbrook.

‘[The idea behind it is] to identify and select a crop of the most talented young cricketers in Europe within these age groups and provide them with an opportunity to develop their talents through excellent coaching and support services in order for them to achieve their potential,’ he said.

‘With 27 cricketers and 14 leaders participating in this year’s event, this will be one of the largest camps yet and we hope that all involved will benefit from the coaching and support on offer from the ICC Europe coaching team.’

Next week sees Hannah Mechem join the ICC Europe Women’s Academy at La Manga.

The Sarnian is the only cricketer from outside the top three European countries of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands to be selected.