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BY RICHARD WALSH
OLLIE Sale, who has just been awarded a Somerset Scholarship after graduating from the Academy, has reflected on his time with the Club so far.
‘’My experience on the Academy at Somerset County Cricket Club has been fulfilling on several different levels over the past two years.
Obviously the regular training with high-class young players, and contact time with quality coaching staff has had a hugely positive impact on the development of my cricket.
I leave the Academy a different and better player, having completely technically, physically and mentally changed.
I understand that now I have been given a platform to build on, hopefully I can further my development in the next couple of years to ready myself for first class cricket.
This opportunity has also helped me grow as an individual in various different ways, which I know I will value for the rest of my life.
I have learnt how to work for something – that it is almost never going to be put on a plate in front of you. To get the results you have to be willing to put the effort in.
I am only very early in my journey to becoming a first class cricketer, but I know that I can give myself the best chance possible through continued hard work. I have also got more confident throughout my time on the Academy, and this combined with various group exercises has enabled me to build on my communication skills.
Our journey on the Academy is much broader than just cricket, and we have learnt a great deal about different aspects of life as well.
We have been involved in a variety of exercises including a Dragons Den, media training, health and safety awareness, financial planning and looking at other career paths.
These are only a few of the things we have looked at, but doing the apprenticeship in sporting excellence programme in my second year has given me an opportunity to look at some of these areas even deeper with help from Somerset, notably Paul Tweddle.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the Somerset Academy, and I have absolutely no regrets about some of the sacrifices I have had to make to be where I am now. Despite the early starts on a Sunday morning, and the endless fitness tests, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the academy!
Amongst the hard work and dedication, there is an environment at Somerset, which enables everyone to enjoy themselves at the same time.
I have made some good friends along the way, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the coaches who have helped me hugely throughout the academy – Jason Kerr, Andy Hurry, Paul Tweddle, Greg Kennis, Darren Veness, Russell Discombe and Ian Thomas.
Having graduated through the academy on to a scholarship this summer, it is a very exciting time for me as I start university continuing the work I have done, and I am looking forward to a full season with Somerset next summer."
This article first appeared on the Somerset County Cricket Club website