Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Training Camp at Desert Springs
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To find out more about the Tom Maynard Trust click on the logo. |
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| Dateline: | 28th January 2018 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: |
Tom Maynard Academy set to return to Desert Springs Resort for warm weather cricket and fitness training |
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The fifth intake for the Tom Maynard Academy is close to completion, with eleven young cricketers now confirmed on the programme, their ages ranging from 17 to 26 years. It includes three players who have been on previous Academy visits: Northamptonshire’s Rob Keogh, who was on the inaugural trip in 2014; Tim Rouse of Somerset, who was on the 2016 programme; and the Gloucestershire seam bowler Ollie Currill, who attended in 2017. The final place will be filled in due course.
The 2018 group will spend nine days between Thursday 15th to Friday 23rd February at Desert Springs Resort, working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity. The programme finishes with two special one-day matches between the Tom Maynard Academy XI and a Spanish National side at the newly constructed cricket ground at Desert Springs.
Matthew Maynard will again head the delivery of the programme. As with the three previous intakes, he will be assisted in coaching by former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire & Australia all-rounder, and current Assistant Head Coach at Gloucestershire, Ian Harvey. Making up the trio of coaches will be former Glamorgan captain and wicket-keeper/batsman Mark Wallace. Former Hampshire wicket-keeper, England assistant coach and current Director of Cricket Coaching at Millfield School Mark Garaway will be providing personal profiling support for the group; physical fitness and strength and conditioning will be overseen by Gary Metcalfe, one of the physiotherapists employed at Somerset; and former Middlesex, Glamorgan and England all-rounder Jamie Dalrymple will also be present to deliver specialist sessions to the players.
Once again, the 2018 programme is being funded in its entirety by the Trust.
After a nominations process, the eleven successful players are:
Kieran Bull (Glamorgan), Ollie Currill (Gloucestershire), Liam Gough (Unattached), Miles Hammond (Gloucestershire), Rob Keogh (Northamptonshire), Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire), Nicholas Oxley (Sussex), Billy Root (Nottinghamshire), Tim Rouse (Somerset), Tom Sole (Northamptonshire) and Roman Walker (Glamorgan). The twelfth player will be added at a later date.
The Academy is designed to support young players and help them follow their individual programmes, meaning that Matthew and his team work very closely with the counties themselves to ensure that the time is used in the most beneficial manner possible, sometimes to help key players who are recovering from previous injuries try to get ahead with some early outdoor practice prior to reporting for UK for pre-season.
Matt Maynard said:
“We are delighted again to have had such great support from the counties and I’m really looking forward to working with another group. Originally, we set out to run five of these annual programmes and this is the fifth, so our aim is to make this the best we’ve had so far. Desert Springs has excellent facilities for the players to work on their games and on their fitness and we’re pleased again to be partnering with them, and particularly excited that this year we are going to be playing our traditional end-of-programme T20 matches at the new ground there. We have a great mix of talented players and some very knowledgeable people involved in delivering the programme and I have no doubt it will be of real benefit to the lads involved as they approach pre-season.”
To view a video of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy view: - Desert Springs Cricket Academy
The players and staff will be accommodated in some of the privately-owned townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the Crocodile Club Restaurant.
For more information on the Tom Maynard Trust, visit the website: http://www.tommaynardtrust.com/
For further information:
Kirk Lovell
+34 647 414 899
kl@almanzora.com
Tom Maynard Academy players at Desert Springs Cricket Academy
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| Dateline: | 15th January 2017 | |
| Source: | Desert Springs Resort | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy set to return for 7 days of warm weather cricket and fitness training at Desert Springs Resort | |
The Tom Maynard Trust Academy has confirmed its return visit to Desert Springs Resort between 16th– 23rd February 2017, comprising twelve professional cricketers from some of the UK’s first class counties and six supporting staff.
The 2017 intake will spend seven days at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.
Since 2014, during February each year a dozen young professionals nominated by their first class county coaches gather together under the management of Somerset CCC Director of Cricket Matt Maynard and his two assistant coaches – former Leicestershire, Kent and England wicket-keeper Paul Nixon and former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey, to spend time at Desert Springs Cricket Academy to work on their technical, physical and personal development.
The coaching trio is augmented by support from experts in specific fields, including Mark Garaway (personality profiling and its application to cricket), Jamie Dalrymple (sports psychology and team dynamics) and Dean Conway, former Glamorgan and England cricket physiotherapist, who advises on fitness, strength and conditioning
Mike Fatkin, one of the Trustees of the Tom Maynard Trust and a former CEO at Glamorgan, will provide management support for Matthew and help the players to understand some of the off-field pitfalls of being a professional sportsperson.
The Academy is designed to support young players and help them follow their individual programmes, meaning that Matthew and his team work very closely with the counties themselves to ensure that the time is used in the most beneficial manner possible, sometimes to help key players who are recovering from previous injuries try to get ahead with some early outdoor practice prior to reporting for UK for pre-season.
Matthew Maynard said:
“We are delighted again to have had such fantastic support from the counties and I’m really looking forward to working with another group of young cricketers as we continue to establish the Tom Maynard Academy as an integral part of the ECB’s and the counties’ player development pathways.
A large proportion of the lads who have come through the Academy have gone on to play senior level cricket and I have no doubt the experience will be of real benefit to the twelve cricketers involved as they approach pre-season.”
To view a video of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy view: - Desert Springs Cricket Academy
The players and staff will be accommodated in some of the privately owned townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the Crocodile Club Restaurant.
For more information on the Tom Maynard Trust, visit the website: http://www.tommaynardtrust.com/
For further information contact : Kirk Lovell
Tel: +34 647 414 899
Email: kl@almanzora.com
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| Dateline: | 27th February 2016 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy completes a successful nine-days of warm weather fitness and cricket training at Desert Springs | |
The intake for the Tom Maynard Academy, comprising twelve (12) professional cricketers from some of the UK’s first class counties, accompanied by nine (9) supporting staff are now back in England having completed a successful nine days of warm weather fitness and cricket training between Thursday 18th – Friday 26th February at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort, championship desert golf course and dedicated Cricket Academy in the Almanzora region of Almeria, Andalucia in south-east Spain.
Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard headed the delivery of the programme and commented;
“Now into our third year at Desert Springs, this was yet another fantastic visit. The wickets at the Cricket Academy continue to improve year on year.
The service element of the resort is sensational and this has been our best trip ever!”
Former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and former Leicestershire, Kent & England wicket-keeper/batsman Paul Nixon were responsible for assisting Matthew Maynard in delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, was on hand to oversee the fitness and physical work while the group were at Desert Springs.
Ian Harvey said of the experience;
“Desert Springs just keeps getting better and better!”
Jamie Dalrymple, former Glamorgan captain and Middlesex and England all-rounder, provided insights into leadership, sports psychology and dressing room dynamics, and Ireland’s former Head of Performance and now Millfield School’s Head of Cricket Coaching, Mark Garaway, carried out some personality profiling to support the 2016 intake with expert advice on how to use that to beneficial effect in their careers.
Mike Fatkin, one of the Trustees of the Tom Maynard Trust and a former CEO at Glamorgan, provided management support for Matthew Maynard and helped the players to understand some of the off-field pitfalls of being a professional sportsperson.
Mike Fatkin commented;
“Thank you to all of the staff for another wonderful stay. The training camp was once again a resounding success, see you next year!”
Below are just some of the views and comments from the attending players:
“I had a great time at Desert Springs. The service was excellent and the facilities were awesome.”
Lucas Carey (Glamorgan CCC)
“An excellent facility to train at. The food and hospitality was superb and the Townhouses at ‘La Fuente’ were well kept and fully kitted out. I would definitely recommend Desert Springs Resort to anyone!”
Ed Pollock (Warwickshire CCC)
“I had a great experience here at Desert Springs Resort. The service was high class all round and the training facilities were perfect. What an awesome way to start pre-season!”
Tom Hampton (Gloucestershire CCCC)
“I can’t thank Desert Springs Resort enough for the past nine days. The service, facilities and food are all top class!”
Chris Jones (Surrey CCC)
“I have had an awesome time here and everyone has been lovely. Quality service and sensational nets for training, thank you for everything!”
Tim Rouse (Somerset CCC)
The Academy worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity culminating with a special one-day match between the Tom Maynard Academy XI and the Spanish National side.
The players and staff were accommodated in some of the privately owned Villas and Townhouses normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.
For more information on the Tom Maynard Trust, visit the website.
For further information contact : The Almanzora Group Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 680 116
Email: tag@almanzora.com
Tom Maynard Trust players : Lukas Carey (Glamorgan); Ryan Davies (Somerset); Tom Hampton (Gloucestershire); Jamie Harrison (Durham); Ryan Higgins (Middlesex); Jonty Jenner (Sussex); Chris Jones (Surrey); Matt Lamb (Warwickshire); Harry Podmore(Middlesex); Ed Pollock (Warwickshire); Ryan Stevenson (Hampshire); and Olly Stone(Northamptonshire)
‘Net Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
‘Batsman Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
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| Dateline: | 25th November 2015 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy set to return in 2016 for ten days of warm weather cricket and fitness training at Desert Springs Resort | |
The Tom Maynard Trust Academy has confirmed its return visit to Desert Springs Resort between 18th– 27th February 2016, comprising twelve professional cricketers from some of the UK’s first class counties and six supporting staff.
The 2015 intake will spend ten days at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.
Matthew Maynard will head the delivery of the programme. Former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and Head of Elite Coach Development at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Gordon Lord, are among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, is overseeing the fitness and physical work while the group is at Desert Springs.
Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard will head the delivery of the programme.
He will be assisted by former Australia all-rounder and current Gloucestershire Assistant Head Coach Ian Harvey and, it is hoped, by former Leicestershire, Kent & England wicket-keeper/batsman Paul Nixon. All three were involved in the Tom Maynard Academy in each of the two previous years.
Jamie Dalrymple, former Glamorgan captain and Middlesex and England all-rounder, will again provide insights into leadership, sports psychology and dressing room dynamics, and Ireland’s former Head of Performance and now Millfield School’s Head of Cricket Coaching, Mark Garaway, will be back to carry out some personality profiling and to support the 2016 intake with expert advice on how to use that to beneficial effect in their careers.
Mike Fatkin, one of the Trustees of the Tom Maynard Trust and a former CEO at Glamorgan, will provide management support for Matthew and help the players to understand some of the off-field pitfalls of being a professional sportsperson.
Former England Head Physiotherapist Dean Conway will oversee the fitness and physical work while the group is in Spain.
Once again the 2016 programme is being funded in its entirety by the Trust.
The twelve successful players are:
Lukas Carey (Glamorgan); Ryan Davies (Somerset); Tom Hampton (Gloucestershire); Jamie Harrison (Durham); Ryan Higgins (Middlesex); Jonty Jenner (Sussex); Chris Jones (Surrey); Matt Lamb (Warwickshire); Harry Podmore (Middlesex); Ed Pollock (Warwickshire); Ryan Stevenson (Hampshire); and Olly Stone (Northamptonshire).
Matthew Maynard said:
“We are delighted again to have had such fantastic support from the counties and I’m really looking forward to working with another group of young cricketers as we continue to establish the Tom Maynard Academy as an integral part of the ECB’s and the counties’ player development pathways.
There are some very knowledgeable people involved in delivering the programme and the quality of the facilities at Desert Springs continues to improve year on year.
A large proportion of the lads who have come through the Academy have gone on to play senior level cricket and I have no doubt the experience will be of real benefit to the twelve cricketers involved as they approach pre-season.”
The players and staff will be accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.
For more information on the Tom Maynard Trust, visit the website.
For further information contact : The Almanzora Group Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 680 299
Email: tag@almanzora.com
Back Row Second From Left Matthew Maynard (Coach) and Back Row Second From Right Dean Conway (Physiotherapist) with Tom Maynard Trust Academy players at Desert Springs Cricket Academy during their 2015 training camp
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| Dateline: | 3rd March 2015 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy completes a successful nine days of warm weather fitness and cricket training at Desert Springs | |
The second intake for the Tom Maynard Academy, comprising twelve (12) professional cricketers from ten (10) of the UK’s first class counties, accompanied by ten (10) supporting staff are now back in England having completed a successful nine days of warm weather fitness and cricket training between Thursday 19th – Friday 27th February at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort, championship desert golf course and dedicated Cricket Academy in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.
Funded in its entirety by The Tom Maynard Trust, in future years it is hoped the programme might form part of the ECB’s player pathway, designed to work with young and emerging county cricketers at the start of their careers as part of a programme helping them prepare for the UK county season.
Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard headed the delivery of the programme. Former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey along with Mark Garaway, to help look at the players’ action type and personality profiling, were among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, oversaw the fitness and physical work of the players whilst at Desert Springs.
The Academy worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity culminating with a special one-day match between the Tom Maynard Academy XI and the Spanish National side.
Matthew Maynard remarked of the Cricket Academy:
“The nets and the way the group was looked after were, again, outstanding
We had a really fabulous group to work with. Twelve players, drawn from ten of the first class counties: a real mix of characters and personalities. The players bonded and there was a wonderful camaraderie within from the group. Work has been hard, both in the nets and away from them on the various fitness programmes organised by Dean Conway, and as all of the players have individual programmes to follow, the way the Academy timetable had been arranged, they were all given sufficient time to work on those.
The support we’ve had on the ground has been absolutely brilliant. Desert Springs is a great place to seclude yourselves away as a group. The resort has everything we need, the facilities are very good and the food has been great.
The surfaces played very well and the facilities, with so much space for fielding, room for kit, bowling machine and pretty much all you’d need for a small group practicing outdoors for the first time this year, were close to spot on. Everything we need for a group of cricketers working outdoors early in the year is right here.”
One of the objectives of the camp has been to provide some off field support and to offer some tools to help the players with their game plans and preparation. All have had one-to-ones to discuss game plans, to find out what aspects of the week will be of most value to them to take into the coming season.
Mike Fatkin delivered a session to the players on the work of the Tom Maynard Trust, important background for the Academy intake. He spoke about some of the educational projects the Trust was now involved in and a healthy discussion took place about some of the pitfalls of life as a young professional sportsman; everything from anti-corruption to insurance and injury, from contracts and agents to alcohol and through to career planning.
Matthew Maynard summarized the II Tom Maynard Cricket Academy at Desert Springs Resort by stating:
“We look forward to returning to Desert Springs in 2016!”
For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299
Email: tag@almanzora.com
Tom Maynard Trust players: Alexander Barrow (Somerset); Bradley Erasamus (Surrey);Alex Wakely (Northants); Basil Akram (Hampshire); Andrew Umeed (Warwickshire);Mark Adair (Warwickshire); Matt Taylor (Gloucestershire); Liam Norwell(Gloucestershire); Barney Gibson (Yorkshire); Jack Murphy (Glamorgan); Jamie Porter(Essex) and Adam Tilcock (Nottinghamshire)
Head of the delivery of the programme Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard(Third From Left) with coaching staff; former Leicestershire, Kent & England wicket-keeper/batsman Paul Nixon (First Left), former England Head Physiotherapist Dean Conway (Second Left) and former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire & Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey (Far Right)
‘Net Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
‘Catching’ training session
‘Batsman Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
‘Slip Catch Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
In addition to the net sessions, there was a heavy emphasis on fielding
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| Dateline: | 16th January 2015 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Names Confirmed For II Tom Maynard Academy Intake To Visit Desert Springs Cricket Academy For Training | |
The intake for the ‘II Tom Maynard Academy’ has been confirmed, comprising twelve professional cricketers from ten of the UK’s first class counties.
The 2015 intake will spend ten days from 19th – 28th February 2015 at Desert Springs, working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.
Somerset Director of Cricket Matthew Maynard will head the delivery of the programme. As with the inaugural intake in 2014 he will be assisted on the coaching by former Leicestershire, Kent & England wicket-keeper/batsman Paul Nixon and former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire & Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey.
Head of Elite Coach Development at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Gordon Lord and former Middlesex, Glamorgan & England all-rounder Jamie Dalrymple are among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; former England Head Physiotherapist Dean Conway is overseeing the fitness and physical work while the group is in Spain.
Once again the 2015 programme is being funded in its entirety by the Tom Maynard Trust.
After a nominations process, the twelve successful players are:
Alexander Barrow (Somerset); Bradley Erasamus (Surrey); Alex Wakely (Northants);Basil Akram (Hampshire); Andrew Umeed (Warwickshire); Mark Adair (Warwickshire);Matt Taylor (Gloucestershire); Liam Norwell (Gloucestershire); Barney Gibson(Yorkshire); Jack Murphy (Glamorgan); Jamie Porter (Essex) and Adam Tilcock(Nottinghamshire).
Matthew Maynard said:
“We are delighted again to have had such fantastic support from the counties and I’m really looking forward to working with another group as we seek to establish the Tom Maynard Academy as an integral part of the ECB’s and the counties’ player development pathways. Desert Springs has excellent facilities for the players to work on their games and on their fitness and we’re pleased to be partnering with them. We have a great mix of talented players and some very knowledgeable people involved in delivering the programme and I have no doubt it will be of real benefit to the lads involved as they approach pre-season.”
The Academy is one of four main areas of work covered by the Tom Maynard Trust, each with the aim of providing support for aspiring young sportsmen and women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to live their dreams.
For more information on the Trust, visit the Tom Maynard Trust website.
For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299
Email: tag@almanzora.com
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| Dateline: | 31st October 2014 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy set to return in 2015 for another nine days of warm weather cricket and fitness training at Desert Springs Resort | |
Due to the success of their inaugural visit in 2014, The Tom Maynard Trust Academy has confirmed its return visit to Desert Springs Resort between 19th– 28th February 2015, comprising twelve professional cricketers from some of the UK’s first class counties and six supporting staff.
The 2015 intake will spend ten days at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity.
Matthew Maynard will head the delivery of the programme. Former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and Head of Elite Coach Development at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Gordon Lord, are among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, is overseeing the fitness and physical work while the group is at Desert Springs.
The 2015 programme is being funded in its entirety by the Tom Maynard Trust. In future years it is hoped the programme might form part of the ECB’s player pathway, designed to work with young and emerging county cricketers at the start of their careers as part of a programme helping them prepare for the UK county season.
The players and staff will be accommodated in some of the privately owned apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef will be on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players dining in the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.
Matthew Maynard remarked of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy:
“During our inaugural visit in February of this year the support we had on the ground was absolutely brilliant. In fact the facilities, with so much space for fielding, room for kit, grass practice wickets and a bowling machine and pretty much all you’d need for a small group practicing outdoors for the first time in the new year year, were close to spot on. There was no question of there being any need to look elsewhere for 2015, everything we need for a group of cricketers working outdoors early in the year is right here.”
For more information on the Tom Maynard Trust, visit their website.
For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Telephone: +44 (0) 1242 680 299
Email: tag@almanzora.com
Far Left Matthew Maynard (Coach) & Far Right Dean Conway (Physiotherapist) with Tom Maynard Trust Academy players at Desert Springs Cricket Academy during their inaugural training camp in 2014
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| Dateline: | 22nd February 2014 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Inaugural Tom Maynard Trust Cricket Academy completes a successful nine days of warm weather fitness and cricket training at the Desert Springs Resort in Almeria, Spain. | |
The first intake for the new Tom Maynard Academy, comprising eleven professional cricketers from nine of the UK’s first class counties, accompanied by seven supporting staff are now back in England having completed a successful nine days of warm weather fitness and cricket training between 13th – 21st February at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort, championship desert golf course and dedicated Cricket Academy in the Almanzora region of Almeria in south-east Spain.
The Tom Maynard Trust funded the inaugural 2014 programme in its entirety. In future years it is hoped the programme might form part of the ECB’s player pathway, designed to work with young and emerging county cricketers at the start of their careers as part of a programme helping them prepare for the UK county season.
Matthew Maynard headed the delivery of the programme. Former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and Head of Elite Coach Development at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Gordon Lord, were among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, oversaw the fitness and physical work of the players whilst at Desert Springs.
The Academy worked on a specific and carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity culminating with a special one-day match between the Tom Maynard Academy XI and the Spanish National side.
Matthew Maynard remarked of the Cricket Academy:
“The first thing to say is that we had a really fabulous group to work with. Eleven lads, drawn from eight of the first class counties: a real mix of characters and personalities, with ages ranging from 16 through to mid-20s. Sitting here, on the morning of day five, it’s clear that the players have bonded and there is a wonderful camaraderie within from the group. Work has been hard, both in the nets and away from them on the various fitness programmes, with the odd fierce bouncer, but the spirit is excellent, and there has been plenty of time for relaxation. The laughter has grown steadily louder and become more prolonged as the week has gone on.
The support we’ve had on the ground has been absolutely brilliant. Desert Springs is a great place to seclude yourselves away as a group. The resort has everything we need, the facilities are very good and the food has been great. There hasn’t been one complaint. Not even a grumble.
Desert Springs Resort Superintendent, Anthony Brooks and his team had been working on the new grass nets for several months and with Sussex County Cricket Club due out for pre-season training next week, the Academy players were effectively christening them and giving everything a bit of a dry run.
The surfaces played well enough. In fact the facilities, with so much space for fielding, room for kit, bowling machine and pretty much all you’d need for a small group practicing outdoors for the first time that year, were close to spot on. No question of there being any need to look elsewhere for 2015, everything we need for a group of cricketers working outdoors early in the year is right here.”
One of the objectives of the camp has been to provide some off field support and to offer some tools to help the players with their game plans and preparation. Clearly major technical changes are not on the agenda – that’s for each individual and their coaches back in the UK – but we have tried to offer help of the kind which makes them think, helps them cherry-pick what might be useful, but to disregard what they feel they don’t need. All have had one-to-ones to discuss game plans, to find out what aspects of the week will be of most value to them to take into the coming season.
With this aim in mind, Gordon Lord, Head of Elite Coaching at the ECB, spent the first couple of days holding individual sessions with all eleven players to look at some personality profiling and help them to understand themselves, and perhaps use a couple of little tricks to focus on their strengths and help diminish any potential weaknesses.
Jamie Dalrymple added valuable coaching support and also delivered a session to the players on leadership, team roles and some of the psychological elements of the game.
Mike Fatkin delivered a session to the players on the work of the Tom Maynard Trust, important background for this the first Academy intake. He spoke about some of the educational projects the Trust was now involved in, including sponsorship of the PCA’s Rookie Camp, and a healthy discussion took place about some of the pitfalls of life as a young professional sportsman; everything from anti-corruption to insurance and injury, from contracts and agents to alcohol and through to career planning.
Matthew Maynard summarized the inaugural Tom Maynard Cricket Academy by stating:
“We hope that this is the first of many groups of young cricketers given a grounding to help them build the right foundations for a career in the game.
The Tom Maynard Academy has got off to a flying start…”
- For details of Cricket, Golf & Sports Training Camps, Corporate Golf Events and Meetings at Desert Springs call 01242 680 116
- To find out more about the Tom Maynard Trust visit the website.
Additional background Information
Warm weather winter training camps at Desert Springs
Desert Springs, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course, is already known as a resort specialising in family holidays, however it has rapidly gained popularity as a centre for warm-weather training for cricketers, athletes, and footballers, as well as golfers and is proving to be one of the most popular destinations for sports warm weather winter training camps.
All sports camps to Desert Springs are bespoke. If desired, the programme can include time away from the resort for some local sightseeing in what many regard as ‘the real Spain.’
During their stay attendees have opportunities to swim, play tennis and use the gymnasium, trim trail, jogging tracks, paddle tennis and beach volley ball courts.
Desert Springs is easy to reach from the UK, thanks to three international airports. They are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away by road; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes by car, and Alicante Airport which is a drive of less than two hours. Airlines currently flying to the region from the UK include easyJet, Monarch, Ryanair, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.
Accommodation is provided in the apartments and villas available for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs. Meals are served in the resort’s Croc Restaurant, part of the family-friendly Crocodile Club that is geared up for a wide variety of leisure activities and the award winning El Torrente Restaurant at the Club House.
A spokesman for Desert Springs said that, depending on the size of the group and its requirements, the total cost of a four-day trip for warm weather training, including flights, would work out at between £350 and £400 per person.
The Desert Springs Resort & Golf Club
Facilities already completed and in use at Desert Springs include:
- a par 72 -18-hole USGA Indiana golf course designed by former Great Britain and Ireland Golf Team Captain Peter McEvoy who was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California;
- a golf academy whose PGA qualified teaching professionals cater for several international teams, for the women’s elite squads of the Golf Union of Wales and for many of the English County Union’s elite squads; PGA European Tour and LET players.
- two hard tennis courts, two paddle courts, beach volley ball and two football pitches - one is a full-size grass pitch; the other is designed for five-a-side games;
- Cricket Academy training facilities comprise; a six bay grass wicket and run up with nets, a two bay artificial wicket with nets, a full length artificial grass wicket, a Professional Bola Bowling Machine with 28 ball feeder, a slip catch cradle and a specific hard standing area, which provides outside space for facilities such as a free weights gym, stretching mats and a medical area.
- a Spanish colonial style Golf Club House with a lounge, bar, restaurant, locker rooms, TV and reading rooms, and a Ralph Lauren Golf Boutique;
- The Crocodile Club which provides family fun at the heart of the resort with pools, equipped sand play areas, a kid’s battery powered John Deere Gator circuit and a games room as well as a jacuzzi, sun lawns and a pool bar;
- a health and fitness club and spa.
Awards
In 2005 Desert Springs won the Daily Mail Best Almeria Award and the Bentley International Property Awards for the Best Spain Development and Best Architecture. In 2006, it was awarded the Spanish National Madera Verde Prize for Environmentally Sensitive Development. In 2007, the El Torrente Restaurant received the New Millennium International Gastronomy Award for the Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry. This award was created by the Trade Leaders Club with the aim of distinguishing companies from all countries, for the outstanding quality of their products or services.
The climate of the Almanzora coastal region
Desert Springs takes it name from the region’s desert microclimate, which is unique in Europe. It has the warmest winter weather on the continent with an annual average of more than nine hours of daily sunshine and maximum daily temperatures of between 16°C (60°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the year. Annual rainfall is less than 200 mm. The Almanzora’s coastal waters are among the cleanest and warmest in Europe, attracting both fish and diving enthusiasts.
Reader enquiries
NOTE: High Resolution Images available upon request. Simon Coaker
Simon Coaker
The Almanzora Group Ltd
The Manor, Boddington,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 0TJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 680116
Email: tag@almanzora.com
Far Left Matthew Maynard (Coach) & Far Right Dean Conway (Physiotherapist) with Tom Maynard Trust players: Andy Carter (Nottinghamshire), Tom Curran (Surrey), George Edwards (Surrey), Cameron Herring (Gloucestershire), Greg Holmes (Glamorgan), Fynn Hudson-Prentice (Sussex), Rob Keogh (Sussex), Mattie McKiernan (Lancashire), Dewi Penryhn-Jones (Glamorgan), Aaron Thomas (Warwickshire) & Jon Webb (Warwickshire).
‘Net Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
‘Throwing at the Stumps’ training session
‘Bowling Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
‘Batting Practice Session’ at the Desert Springs Cricket Academy
In addition to the net sessions, there was a heavy emphasis on fielding
Accommodation for the Tom Maynard Trust players, staff and coaches was provided in the Townhouses available at Desert Springs.
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| Dateline: | 4th December 2013 | |
| Source: | The Almanzora Group Ltd | |
| Subject: | Cricket at Desert Springs | |
| Title: | Names Confirmed For First Tom Maynard Academy Intake To Visit Desert Springs Cricket Academy For Training | |
The 2014 intake will spend ten days from 13th - 22nd February 2014 at Desert Springs, working on a carefully planned programme covering technical skills, strength and conditioning and both individual and group activity. The programme finishes with a special one-day match between the Tom Maynard Academy XI and the Spanish national side.
Matthew Maynard will head the delivery of the programme. For the 2014 intake, former Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Australia all-rounder Ian Harvey and Head of Elite Coach Development at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Gordon Lord, are among those delivering specialist sessions to the players; and former England Head Physiotherapist, Dean Conway, is overseeing the fitness and physical work while the group is at Desert Springs.
The 2014 programme is being funded in its entirety by the Tom Maynard Trust. In future years it is hoped the programme might form part of the ECB’s player pathway, designed to work with young and emerging county cricketers at the start of their careers as part of a programme helping them prepare for the UK county season.
After a nominations process, the eleven successful players are:
Tom Barber (Hampshire); Ollie Batchelor (Surrey); Andrew Carter (Nottinghamshire);George Edwards (Surrey); Cameron Herring (Gloucestershire); Fynn Hudson Prentice(Sussex); Rob Keogh (Northamptonshire); Mattie McKiernan (Lancashire); Dewi Penrhyn Jones (Glamorgan); Aaron Thomson (Warwickshire); and Jon Webb (Warwickshire).
Matthew Maynard said:
“We are delighted to have had such fantastic support from the counties and I’m really looking forward to working with the players and establishing the Tom Maynard Academy as an integral part of the ECB’s and the counties’ player development pathways. Desert Springs has excellent facilities for the players to work on their games and on their fitness and we’re pleased to be partnering with them. We have some very knowledgeable people involved in delivering the programme and I have no doubt it will be of real benefit to the lads involved as they approach pre-season.”
The Academy is one of four main areas of work covered by the Tom Maynard Trust, each with the aim of providing support for aspiring young sportsmen and women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to live their dreams.
For more information on the Trust, visit the website.
For further information contact: The Almanzora Group Ltd
Telephone: +34 950 091 518
Email: tag@almanzora.com
The first intake for the new Tom Maynard Academy has been confirmed, comprising eleven professional cricketers from nine of the UK’s first class counties.
