Year 10 cricketer Ben was bowled over after being scouted to be part of Cheshire’s Emerging Players Programme (EPP).
The highest level Ben can play at for his age, he was one of eight boys selected from the Cheshire Youth teams and now follows in the footsteps of Year 12 student, Edward Fluck in the programme.
The EPP selects the best U15 to U18-year-old players in the county and Ben was invited to train on the 12-week course.
Being part of Cheshire’s player pathway gives Ben the opportunity for potential selection to play for the North of England team and progress on to the next tier of the talent pathway to Senior County level.
He said: “It was great to be selected. I’ve been playing since the age of 7 after my mum took me to play in a cricket club over the summer but when I started, I played 4 years ahead to make up the numbers, and this probably helped bring me along.”
Ben, who plays for Hale Barns CC outside of CHS and says his favourite cricketer is Jos Buttler, says he would like to go on and play cricket professionally.
Playing for CHS’s 1st Team in Year 8, something rarely achieved by students before, Ben is a keen sportsman who also enjoys playing football, rugby and hockey at School and is also part of CHS’s Sports Scholarship programme.
CHS’s Sports Scholarship programme offers Ben a holistic programme for his sporting wellbeing, including strength and conditioning, nutrition advice and psychological training. He is also given support with his School work, when he dedicates Tuesday Form Times in the library to his studies.
Ben is one of an increasing number of CHS cricketers making it to the later stages of Representative Cricket. Currently there are 14 boys from CHS at the final stage before County Age Group selection; a record high for School.
