Pathway

Foundation Pathway Development Programme

Welcome to the Foundation Pathway Development Programme, some of the pages in this area of the website are under construction and will have new information added over time, as the new programme develops.

Please find some further background information about the programme via the links below, including the nomination process for 2026.

All About the Pathway

Pathway Safeguarding & Policies

The Pathway Programme

All About the Pathway

Pathway Safeguarding & Policies

The Pathway Programme

Pathway Nominations 2026

Dear club/school,

Please find below the online nomination link, through which to put forward Junior player for this autumn’s age group trials. This link will be the only accepted route through which to nominate any young player between the age of 8 and 12. You are nominating players based on their age group for the 2026 season, for which date ranges for birthdays is included on the link.

When nominating any player it is important that you consider the following factors:

The players' parent/guardian is aware and happy for them to be nominated.
Only one nomination is submitted for any one player. Regardless of the number of different age groups the player may play, he must be nominated for the age group in which his DOB qualifies him for.
The nomination process is for boys only. The Girls nomination process will follow in due course.
Players already involved in any of the U9-U12 area sides do not need re-nominating and will be contacted automatically about the winter programme.
Players’ parents/guardians will be contacted directly with details of the trials later in the summer, but clubs/schools will be made aware of who has been successful and who hasn’t, once the trials are completed and training squads selected.
The trials will be held locally within the ‘Area’ in which the player is based. These areas will be North, South, East and West of the County with details sent out in advance.
When nominating a player, you are asked to first consider the bullet points associated to each of the skill sets within our ’Talent Development Framework’, which is attached. We are open-minded about all nominated players but ask that you judge your nominations against these bullet points noted under the U9-U12 sections.
As much as outcomes (runs and wickets) in club/school matches are an important part of a players’ development, please note that this forms only part of their development and the longer-term development side of the Pathway is something we look for and prioritise in all the young players.
The trials will be a mix of hard and softball for all age groups. Those with experience of using a cricket ball will be encouraged to bring full kit and will have the opportunity to use hardball. Those who haven’t had the same experience will be at no disadvantage at all and will still play a full part in all areas of the trials.
The nomination link will remain open throughout the summer, with a final closing date of Sunday 3rd August without exception. Having the link open for the best part of 10-weeks, there is ample opportunity to consult, consider and nominate your young players, so this will be the absolute deadline for all nominations in the U9-U12 age groups.