An Island Discovered: Dutch Expand Youth Development Programme

On Tuesday 16 July the EDM travelled to the Isle of Man where he witnessed the first ever 2-day match played between the Dutch U17s and an Isle of Man representative team. An initiative set up between Roland Lefebvre (KNCB) and Tony Potham (Isle of Man Development Officer) during the recent ECB Level III coaching course at Lilleshall, this provided an opportunity for the Dutch to test their reserve strength of U17 and U15 players on grass pitches at the impressive King William's College.

Before both the EDM and Roland hopped across the water to Belfast for the start of the European Championships, a meeting of the Isle of Man committee took place to consider their current state of development and the possibilities of an application being made to the ICC for membership. Added to this, a number of impressive club grounds, all with grass practice and playing facilities were viewed. Quite amazingly, various committee men were to be found in the early evening watering the pitches no less than 48 hours before the start of the scheduled league matches and something those in the UK/Europe could only dream about. The EDM departed following a luncheon where Isle of Man Chairman, Ian Tomlinson, presented mementoes to the visiting teams and offered his support for future such visits by European member countries.

News filtered through in Belfast that the 2-day game had ended in a draw-Isle of Man requiring 3 runs off the last ball with 9 wickets down-a fantastic developmental exercise indeed.