Academy invites for duo
TWO young Guernsey cricketers have received personal invitations to join the CCM [Cricket Coach Master] Academy, based in Oxford, for 2005.
The Academy's director, former Somerset all-rounder Gary Palmer, was quick to offer the two boys places for 2005 having been impressed by the two during his visits to the island.
Based at Radley School the academy is set up to provide young cricketers outside of first-class counties with a route in to professional cricket.
As members of the academy during the winter the boys will be working alongside former England internationals Phil Newport, Richard Illingworth, Neil Foster and Mark Ramprakash as well as West Indies legend Alvin Kallicharran, in preparation for a series of 10 fixtures against first-class counties' second XI's.
Le Hegarat, 15, who played for Wiltshire during the summer is a tall fast bowling all-rounder, and former England seamer and Worcestershire academy director, Phil Newport, was particularly impressed with when he saw him bowl in July.
'He's got natural pace and bounce, his action is good and with some tightening up will achieve greater control over his length, but he impressed me with his athleticism and I can't wait to work with him in the winter.'
Nussbaumer, 17, who has featured for Cobo throughout the season, put in a solid performance in the Island B side and has been consistent all season as he begins to reap the rewards of the hard work he has put in during the winter.
Both boys have benefited from the continued investment in the School of Excellence by PWC.
'Without the investment from PWC these two boys would never have had the opportunity they have now, we are now producing some serious cricketers, and there are a few more that are going to be attracting some attention,' said Jason Shambrook.
But it is not going to be cheap, the boys will have to make at least 30 trips to the UK during the summer as well as cover the cost of coaching fees.
'We need to sit down with the parents and any potential sponsors to make sure this happens for the boys. It would be a travesty if they were denied the opportunity because of where they live,' added Frith.
Total Cobo defeated PKF Wanderers by 89 runs on Sunday to secure the final semi-final place in the KPMG Channel Islands Club Championship.
They will face OVs at the KGV next Saturday while Clubhouse Optimists travel to play Sporting Club Francais at Grainville.
