Youth – About the Talent Pathway
At Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, our Talent Pathway is dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and supporting young cricketers from across the region, helping them unlock their full potential. The pathway is designed within a high-performance environment with the ultimate goal of developing:
- First-class cricketers for Gloucestershire CCC (men’s 1st X1)
- Semi-professional cricketers for Gloucestershire Women (Tier 2)
- Professional cricketers for Glamorgan Women (Tier 1, starting in 2026)
- Future stars of England cricket.
Pathway Structure
Our player development model consists of three progressive phases:
- Foundation Phase (U10–U12)
- Youth Development Phase (U13–U15)
- Senior Development Phase (U16–U18)
These stages build the foundation for entry into the Emerging Player Programme (EPP) and, ultimately, the Gloucestershire Academy.
- Players in the Talent Pathway gain access to:
- Expert coaching staff
- Elite training facilities
Insight into the professional game through interactions with the men's and women's first teams
We also focus on mental, emotional, and personal development, ensuring that each player not only grows as an athlete but also as an individual. Success, for us, goes beyond professional contracts—it’s about friendships, personal growth, confidence, and unforgettable experiences.
Notable alumni from our boys' pathway include James Bracey, Miles Hammond, and David Payne. From the girls' pathway, Fran Wilson, Katie Jones, Nat Wraith, Dani Gibson, Chloe Skelton, and Mollie Robbins have all gone on to professional careers with other counties.
Emerging Player Programme (EPP)
Boys' EPP
The Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is an advanced stage within Gloucestershire’s Cricket Pathway, designed to nurture and develop talented young cricketers identified within the County Age Group system. Its primary objective is to select players who display the potential to progress to the Gloucestershire Academy and, eventually, to higher levels of the game.
Selection for the EPP is based on a player’s future potential, their current performance, and the likelihood that their skills can be refined and elevated to compete at more advanced levels of cricket. The programme provides these players with specialised coaching, access to enhanced resources, and individualised development plans to help them grow both on and off the field.
Every year 10-12 players, ranging from the U12 to U15 age groups, are chosen to join the EPP. With a large pool of players across these age groups, the selection process is highly competitive, with only around 10% of players from the pathway being offered a place in the EPP.
The Boys' EPP is led by Boys' Pathway Head Coach Paul Muchall. Since finishing his playing career with Gloucestershire, Muchall has played an integral part in coaching across all boys' age groups before being appointed full-time as Head coach for the boys’ talent pathway.
The EPP aims to create a structured yet flexible environment where emerging talent is allowed to flourish, ensuring that Gloucestershire continues to produce cricketers capable of succeeding at the highest levels of the game.
Girls' EPP
The Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is an advanced stage within Gloucestershire’s Cricket Pathway, specifically designed to nurture and develop talented young female cricketers identified within the County Age Group system. The programme focuses on selecting players who demonstrate the potential to progress to the neighbouring Tier 1 Academy (Glamorgan) and, ultimately, to compete at higher levels of the game.
Selection for the Girls’ EPP is based on a player’s future potential, current performance, and the likelihood that their skills can be refined and developed to succeed at more advanced levels of cricket. Players in the programme benefit from specialised coaching, access to enhanced resources, and tailored development plans that support their growth both on and off the field.
Each year, between 10-12 players, ranging from the U14 to U18 age groups, are invited to join the EPP. With a large pool of talented players across these age groups, the selection process is highly competitive, with only a small percentage of players from the pathway being offered a place.
The Girls’ EPP is led by Fran Wilson, whose wealth of experience at the highest levels of the game ensures players receive world-class guidance and support throughout their journey.
The programme provides a structured, yet adaptable environment designed to help emerging talent thrive. Gloucestershire is committed to producing cricketers capable of excelling at the highest levels of the women’s game while also building a lifelong connection to cricket.
Boys Academy
The Gloucestershire Academy is one of 18 first-class cricket academies in the UK, consistently developing talented players who captivate and inspire Gloucestershire fans.
In recent years, several players, including Archie Bailey, Luke Charlesworth, and Ollie Price, have successfully progressed from the Academy to the Gloucestershire 1st XI. They join a prestigious group of former Academy graduates such as James Bracey, Chris Dent, and Miles Hammond, who play crucial roles within the team, alongside established figures like David Payne.
The Academy attracts promising cricketers from Gloucestershire and nearby areas, offering opportunities to players between the ages of U15 and U18. Each year, less than 5% secure an Academy place, making the selection process incredibly competitive.
As the final stage of the Gloucestershire Talent Pathway, the Academy plays a critical role in bridging the gap between youth cricket and professional cricket, providing players with opportunities to prepare for and transition into 2nd XI and, ultimately, 1st XI cricket.
The Boys Academy is led by Boys Pathway Head Coach Paul Muchall, who since finishing his own playing career with Gloucestershire has played an integral part in coaching across all boys' age groups before being appointed full-time as Head coach for boys’ talent pathway.
The Gloucestershire Academy is driven by a commitment to:
Uncover and nurture the area’s brightest cricketing talents, guiding them on the path to becoming elite professionals who can proudly represent Gloucestershire.
Deliver a tailored, all-encompassing programme that develops growth not only in their cricketing abilities but also in their personal and mental development.
Empower players to leave the Academy as well-rounded individuals, prepared for success both on the cricket field and in their future career aspirations beyond the game.
County Age Groups (CAG)
The CAG structure serves as the foundation of our talent development system, providing young cricketers with structured coaching and competitive opportunities.
Boys' Pathway Teams
- Age Groups: U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U18
- Development Squads: U10–U14 (extended opportunities for players showing potential)
Girls' Pathway Teams
- Age Groups: U11, U12, U13, U15, U18
- Development Squads: U11 & U15 (for players showing potential to reach county level)
As of Summer 2025, all Girls’ CAG teams will be fully integrated under the Gloucestershire CCC structure, ensuring a unified, inclusive system offering equal access and support for all players. Many of our top female CAG players also represent Gloucestershire Women in:
- Women’s Vitality Blast (League Two)
- Women’s Metro Bank One Day Cup (League Two)
This exposure to senior-level competition gives young players invaluable experience. All squads can be found here.
Our Mission
The Talent Pathway at Gloucestershire is more than just about creating professional cricketers. It’s about inspiring a lifelong passion for the game, building resilience, and developing confident young people. Regardless of whether players go on to play professionally, we aim to equip them with:
- Strong values
- Positive memories
- A lasting connection to Gloucestershire Cricket
Our commitment to holistic development ensures players leave the pathway not only as better cricketers but also as better individuals.
About our sponsors
The Boys Talent Pathway are delighted to announce the following sponsors for the 2024 seasons. We would like to thank these sponsors for all of their support and very excited to have them displayed on our playing shirts from U10s to our Academy sides.
Digby Associates – Front of Shirt Sponsor
Astra Security – Sleeve Sponsor
Bristol Fire – Back of Shirt Sponsor
Safeguarding
For further information regarding our safeguarding policies, please click here.