Teens part of high-performance academy

Five of the region’s best up-and-coming cricket prospects will be part of the second instalment of the WACA Great Southern Cricket Area Academy, relaunched on Monday.

The high performance program for players aged 13-15 will run for 10 weeks and includes coaching from WA pace bowling legend Ian Brayshaw.

Supported by the Great Southern Sports Talent Association, the academy boasts coaching from Brayshaw along with Tim Edmunds (academy coach), Callum Dowell (strength and conditioning) and Aidan Dallimore (wicketkeeping).

Albany has four players in the program: 15-year-old all-rounder Ryley Valli, 14-year-old all-rounder Mohit Jaggi, 14-year-old keeper/batsmen Billy O’Meara and 14-year-old all-rounder Henry Goldsmith — while 13-year-old Denmark keeper/batsmen Jed Schwarzbach rounds out the five.

The players were selected after stand-out performances at various levels including WACA regional carnivals, junior country week and local competitions.

At Monday’s launch, WACA coach and talent specialist Job Van Bunge, country manager Steve Philippe and clubs and volunteers specialist Danny Andrews were all on hand.

WACA Great Southern cricket manager and academy coach Edmunds said the group would have access to a high level of coaching and mentoring during the program.

“This program is not only a great opportunity for these players to develop but also for local coaches to continue to upskill,” Edmunds said.

“The players involved are really aspirational, which is great to see and they really enjoy their cricket. Just because you live down south doesn’t mean you can’t aspire to reach the highest level possible.”

The players have also been selected among the best 36 players in regional WA for the WA Country Cricket Regional Development Carnival from October 1-4 at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School.