EDP Joins Forces With Anglia Polytechnic University To Offer Cricket Scholarships

Following meetings between the EDM, Don Keiller of Anglia Polytechnic University and Chris Scott, Cambridge Universities Centre of Cricketing Excellence (CUCCE) Coach, a Sports Scholarship scheme involving APU and the ICC European Development Program has been agreed, offering young cricketers from around Europe the opportunity to study in Cambridge and play First Class cricket against English County sides on the famous Fenners ground.

APU, to underline its commitment to the development of sporting excellence amongst its students and to promote the University as a Centre of Sporting Excellence, offers up to twelve Sports Scholarship and Bursary awards each year, for cricket and a number of other sports, in order to help students who perform at a high level in their chosen sport to maximise their potential whilst pursuing their academic studies. Successful applicants are expected to sign a contract agreeing to represent APU in British Universities Sports Association competitions, and to promote the work and name of APU.

The agreement between APU and the ICC European Development Program means that two Cricket Scholarship places are now available for European (non-UK) students. Successful applicants will receive an award equivalent to £1000 from APU, which could either be met by the provision of free campus accommodation, or the cash equivalent to be used for training, equipment and travel expenses related to their sport. They are also entitled to reduced-cost access to appropriate sports facilities on and off campus. In addition to the award from APU, successful applicants will receive a further £1000's worth of support from the European Development Program, in the form of kit and equipment, training courses and coaching courses. All awards are reviewed annually, and recipients are expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of performance in both their sport and their academic studies.

European applicants wishing to be considered for the scheme offered in conjunction with the ICC European Development Programme must have a proven track record in international competition and other elite-level events, and be able to command (like a UK Cricketing Scholar) a place in the CUCCE first XI, as well as possessing the appropriate academic admissions requirements. Further information about APU and the courses it offers can be found at www.apu.ac.uk. Candidates for these scholarships will be recommended by the European Development Manager, with APU, in conjunction with CUCCE, making the final selection.

This is a wonderful opportunity for talented young players from outside the UK, and the European Development Manager welcomes details from ECC member country associations of applicants from Europe who wish to be considered for the Scholarship scheme.