County level youth cricket

[mamarun]

Does anybody know how selection for this works? My son has been playing for a couple of years and has been told he had a natural talent and it was even hinted by a local coach that he could be put forward county trials - he is still very young.. But since then it's all gone a bit quiet. I am going through all of this for the first time as nobody in the family has been that sporty or competitive so not really sure how it all works. Can't find anything on the Internet and don't feel like badgering the coach as he seems quite busy. Does anybody have experience of this ie when do trials take place, how many times a year, from what age and how much commitment is there if you do get selected. DS loves cricket and its such a pleasure watching him play - but I want to be able to support him and feel I'm going in a bit blind at the moment.

Dn was spotted at his local club. He played out of his age group at a young age and played county level from the earliest age possible (under 10s?). Iirc the county coaches came to the local club to see dn and others. At one stage he seemed to be playing or training six days a week. Also he had to travel far for matches. Eg when he played in the regional team (above county level) he had to go as far as Cornwall to play (5 hour drive).

How old is he? At ds2's club the coaches put children forward for the county trials which happen in the winter and selected players have to go to practice sessions every weekend

There's also district level cricket which is a notch down from county so training, matches etc bit more local

Ds2 is in no danger of ever being pit forward for trials but he still loves playing!

Round here it goes like this.....
local club puts forward players to district team at end of season, either straight in, or pending on trial. District training starts in january every week. End of season again, District coaches put forward players to County Team.

Hi thanks for replies so far. That's helpful. DS is almost 8 so young. He is in his local club squad. Didn't know about the districts so will need to check what district his club falls under.

The clue will be whether he is playing out of his age group at his local club. Ds is 8 and the top players play in older age groups - under 11s instead of under 9s. They are way ahead of their peers. At 8 dn was doing the same and was clearly exceptional and has continued to develop to the point where he is aiming to be a professional cricketer.

Wow musu that's amazing. Don't think DS is on that level but yes is having to be held back somewhat because of his age and because of his build ( he is still catching up growing). He is summer baby as it is so smaller than others in his year group. There doesn't seem to be a U9 team at hs club but he is playing for the U10 a few matches.

So musu has your Ds been recognised as such and how is club developing him? Has he been put forward for county trials for example?

My dn not my ds. He played for the county at whatever is the earliest age. He's 17 now and playing for a first class county team (in their academy and has played for the main 2nd 11 recently) and hoping to be selected for the next England U18 tour. He's combining the academy with his normal school work and he gets time out of school to attend the academy. Physically he's developed perfectly for the cricket position he wants, which must have helped his progress (as well as his talent). Ds (8) completely idiolises his cousin but doesn't have anywhere near the same level of ability!

Iirc dn had a choice of which county team to join.

Talking to a friend recently and she got a phone call just the day before to say can your DS try for the county. He is 11 and got in.

DS plays but just at club level. I think the county comes to the club and runs a couple of days of cricket nets in the school holidays and uses that to spot talent.

None of my kids have played cricket but from what I hear fromother parents (in this area) is that there is a hell of a lot of nepotism in boys cricket.