TRAINING FOR YOUNG CYPRIOT CRICKETERS

In April 2004 we took two young cricketers to the European Cricket Association cricket coaching camp at Bradfield in Berkshire.Cyprus is affiliated to the ECA through its own cricket association, the Cyprus Cricket Association.

We were a little apprehensive at first as the two 16 year olds, Christos Markides and Christos Vassiiliades, would have to find their level among some of the best young cricketers in Europe, including representatives from world cup cricketing nations Holland and Scotland. As it turned out we had nothing to be afraid of. Both fitted in effortlessly. In fact it soon became clear that they were among the ten best players at the camp.

And they were more than keen to learn, picking up every bit of advice from the ECA¹s professional coaches, led by Richard O¹Sullivan of Kent County Cricket Club and including Glamorgan¹s and Holland¹s medium pace bowler Roland Lefebre.

As a consequence both Christos¹ came back to Cyprus much better players.

We do not need to be afraid that young Cypriot cricketers cannot compete in Europe. Nor do we need to look too far for more talented young cricketers, as many Cypriot families have returned in the past few years from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia and England with cricket in their blood.

Both Chris Markides and Chris Vassiliedes now play for the Cyprus national side.Are there other young cricketers out there who might benefit from a week of cricket at Bradfield?