Boys Satellite Emerging Player Programme (EPP)

This is for talented players aged 13-18 who demonstrate the potential to progress to a first-class county academy or play for the Herefordshire 1st XI.

Players will be selected who show the appetite and conviction to consistently train with intensity and passion  We are a satellite of Worcestershire CCC

Coaches - Stuart Houghton WCCC, Ritchie Harley WCCC/HCL Shameer Ahmed HCL

2026 EPP

Archie Stevenson

Avitej Singh

Will Kennedy

Finn Goodwin

Ben Lowe

Freddie Morris

Henry Sullivan

Archie Langford

Rapha Rea

Noah Herbert

The Emerging Player Programme (EPP) is a prestigious one to one elite coaching programme for the most talented cricketers in Herefordshire between the ages of 13 and 18.

Its aims are to augment the Herefordshire County Age-Grade playing programmes which we deliver, to provide young players of high potential with crucial early development to develop the core foundations of future performance, to provide a longitudinal opportunity for the assessment of future potential, and to inform selection and create better transitions into an Academy programme.

Outcomes from the EPP:

We want players to have shown steady progress throughout their involvement on the EPP, across the following areas:

Technical ability
Tactical awareness
Mental strength; evidenced through resilience, awareness of own game (to drive self-reflection and self-learning) and confidence in own game
Physical competency
A national outcome of the EPP is for players to be capable of competing for a place in the WCCC academy by 16 and play National Counties cricket by the time they are 19.

An EPP player’s match play programme should provide the appropriate balance between high challenge matches, and matches that serve to boost confidence and success levels.

Characteristics of an EPP Player

CONFIDENCE: Playing with self-belief and confidence is vital to success. Its not everything but combined with calmness and smart thinking, is a powerful tool.

The right MENTALITY: Does he want it enough? Want to be the best? Will he perform under pressure? Will he work hard at his strengths and weaknesses in a focused, determined way?

RESILIENCE: Will he have the capacity to recover quickly from set backs and difficulties?

SELF EVALUATION: Will he be objective regarding practice and performance?

CONCENTRATION/PATIENCE: Practice sessions can be tedious, require focus and resilience, can he cope with that? and follow a specified program in and out of the sessions.

SELF ORGANISATION: Important skills that help you manage time, tools and resources. Can the individual plan his own life/school/friends etc around the program?

TCUP: Thinking correctly under pressure is the difference, can he make smart tactical, technical decisions at the correct time.

GOOD SELF AWARENESS: Will he have the skill to focus on himself, his actions, thoughts, and strong life values.

ADEQUATE TECHNIQUE: A player needs an adequate technique that will stand up to serious pressure from the opposition. Its not the ‘B all and end All’ and its also important to ask the question, ‘Does it work’?

COMMITMENT: Vital for the selected players, will they dedicate themselves to the cause?

FITNESS: A high level is crucial to success in the modern game, there will be a serious focus on this part of the game.

LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT: Are they disciplined away from the game? Do they eat well? Is their time management good?