Nine European countries represented at ICC European Centre of Excellence

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The ICC European Centre of Excellence takes place between 12-17 April, 2012 at La Manga Club, Spain, where eighteen players, nine country coaches and six lead coaches will be in attendance from across nine European countries.

The ICC Europe Centre of Excellence is held annually in La Manga, Spain for talented youth age-group players of between 13-16 years of age. The countries of Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, the Netherlands and Scotland will all be represented.

The lead coaching team consists of ICC Regional Development Officer, Chris Porter (ECB Level 3 Coach); ICC Regional Performance Officer, Philip Hudson (ECB Level 4 ?Master Coach'); Richard O'Sullivan (ICC European Centre of Excellence Director and ECB Level 3 Coach); Simon Dannapfel, (Assistant National Coach of Finland); Andy Northcote (Italy National Player and ECB Level 3 Coach) and Alan Patterson (Scotland National Youth Coach and ECB Level 3 Coach).

The programme has been based on a player approach which will be very powerful for the players and country coaches attending the Centre of Excellence. During the player selection process ICC Europe reviewed the players' skill sets and developed the programme content to suit the players' needs.

The Centre of Excellence programme includes fielding and fitness training, batting and bowling skill sets, net sessions, video analysis and 1-1 player feedback sessions. From a tactical aspect players will take part in middle practice and match situations. At the end of the programme there will be a match planned for players to show off their skills and hard work.

Roland Lefebvre, High Performance Manager for the KNCB has worked as an ICC Europe coach consultant on several European performance programme events. Lefebvre talks enthusiastically about his past experiences at the Centre of Excellence. "This camp is an excellent coaching initiative which provides the players selected with the opportunity to develop their skills under the guidance of a talented group of coaches and at the same time build on lasting friendships with players from many other European countries.

"The Centre of Excellence also allows developing coaches such as Tom Heggelman, who has just returned from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier where he was involved with the Dutch national squad, to be given the opportunity to work alongside more experienced coaches and gain valuable coaching experience," concluded Lefebvre.

ICC European Regional Development Officer, Chris Porter is very excited by the event, "The Centre of Excellence programme has been in place for some time and has helped a number of players and coaches to develop their performance and understanding of the game. I am sure 2012 will be also a great success.

"We have excellent coaches attending the 2012 programme who will bring a wide range of skills, understanding and knowledge. It is great opportunity for the coaches and also the players to develop both as cricketers and people," concludes Porter.

The players and coaches attending are as follows:

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