Menai Bridge Captain Dion Holden will be leading the coaching team.

Cricket legends to lead programme for superstar youngsters

A pair of regional cricket stars will spearhead a prestigious cricket programme at Rydal Penrhos this autumn

Posted by Charley Rogers | August 03, 2017 | Sports & Leisure

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Once again, Rydal Penrhos will be the official North Wales Hub for the Marylebone Cricket Club Foundation, which offers high-quality cricket coaching to talented children in the state system who have displayed cricketing potential. 

The MCC will fund three coaches for 25 two-hour sessions at the school for under 13 and under 15 players, which equates to a session every week in the off season. 

The Hubs are put together, funded and mentored by the MCC Foundation. The day-to-day running of each Hub is left to a local manager who runs local trials to identify talented children, and who also oversees the coaching sessions, which are open to male and female players from state schools across North Wales.

Director of Sport and Hub Manager, Allen Boyd, announced that Menai Bridge Captain Dion Holden will be leading the coaching team alongside teammate Jack Gower.

Holden was part of the West of England side that toured the West Indies in 2006 and made a number of second team appearances for Glamorgan as part of their academy.

The pair have been in ruthless form as part of the Bridge side who currently sit in second spot in the North Wales Premier Division standings - with Holden and wicketkeeper Gower averaging 41 and 40 respectively.

Holden, who has also claimed 19 wickets at an average of 18 from 75 overs, will also be delivering a winter nets programme with players at Rydal Penrhos - in addition to assisting with Year 7 and 8 games sessions - due to his experience with Cardiff Met Rugby Club during his time at university.

Allen said: “We are delighted to have Dion and Jack on board, who are widely regarded as two of the most talented cricketers anywhere in the region. Their experience and knowledge of the game will be a huge asset to the MCC Hub, and I know those in attendance will learn an enormous amount.”