Surrey expand ACE initiative after successful launch

The scheme initially identified ten scholarship places for U15 players and a further six for older youngsters, but that has now been increased to 24, such was the level of talent on show at the five open trial sessions

Surrey are to expand the African-Caribbean engagement programme launched by the club earlier this year.

Open trials held for youngsters from the local south London community proved successful. The five sessions were attended by 70 children, including seven girls – one of which was held specifically for pupils at Archbishop Tenison’s School, located near The Oval.

The scheme, which is the brainchild of Ebony Rainford-Brent, Surrey’s director of women’s cricket and a board member at the county, initially identified ten places in the club’s age-group system for under-15 players, with a further six scholarship places for older age-groups.

However, a large number of players with potential have been spotted and, instead, there will be 24 scholars in the programme’s first intake, including two girls.

Academy director Gareth Townsend said: “As this was an entirely new project, we had no idea what level of ability to expect at the trial sessions. I’m now pleased to be able to report that we saw a number of exciting young players who we will bring onto the ACE Programme and continue working with.

“To have to expand the ACE Programme at this early stage is certainly gratifying and I hope these 24 young men and women will be able to make the most of the opportunity presented to them. We are all looking forward to assisting with their future development.”

Surrey seeking to reconnect with local community as African-Caribbean Engagement programme opens its doors

Rainford-Brent added: “When we were coming up with the format for the ACE Programme last year, I knew how much untapped talent there was out there – and to have to increase the number of scholars in the first year truly is testament to that.

“I’d like to thank all the young people who showed up to the sessions and the parents, coaches and teachers that encouraged them to come along. This is just the start of a very exciting journey for everybody and I look forward to seeing what happens next!”

The project was set up to target children between the ages of 11 and 18 with sporting potential, with the intention of breaking down barriers to those local to The Oval.

“I would describe this programme as being about reaching out and engaging,” Rainford-Brent told The Cricketer in January. “But it’s about relating. If the kids don’t know that people care about them and are trying to do stuff for the community, it’s just going to pass them by.

“But if you invest, put time in, show you care and try to build these relationships, suddenly everyone becomes very excited.”

The initiative includes access to Level Three ECB qualified cricket coaching, sports science and personal development education, equipment and travel grants.

While the coronavirus pandemic has delayed the beginning of the programme’s physical sessions, coaches are putting together a series of resources for players to allow them to continue their work remotely.