The New Year can’t come quickly enough for Southampton Solent University fresher students Matt Stokes (left), Luke Evans (centre) and Ryan Murray (right), who fly to South Africa shortly for a month-long cricketing visit to Hilton College, near Pietermaritzburg.
The trio, who are on BA Sports Coaching and Development degree courses at Solent, all play their cricket locally in the ECB Southern Premier League.
Guernsey all-rounder Stokes produced several eye-catching performances for St Cross Symondians this summer, with Sholing-based Evans helping South Wilts win a fourth successive title and Murray opening the bowling for the Hampshire Academy.
The trio will link up with Hampshire first team coach Dale Benkenstien and several squad players for a month-long stint of practice and training.
They will also coach the Hilton College students and play for clubs in the Durban area at weekends.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for these three lads, not only from a cricketing perspective, but also coaching, which is perfect for their academic development given their degree courses,” enthused Tom Morton, Solent’s Sports Development officer.
“The university has enabled a flexible approach whereby this programme can be incorporated within the curriculum.
“It also benefits the Solent university cricket programme, competing within the highest echelons of higher education sport.
“This will be ideal for not only the development of the individuals within the current squad, but also the associated recruitment benefits which should come with this.
“It is a great step in the continued links between Southampton Solent University and Hampshire Cricket.”
The trio, who are on BA Sports Coaching and Development degree courses at Solent, all play their cricket locally in the ECB Southern Premier League.
Guernsey all-rounder Stokes produced several eye-catching performances for St Cross Symondians this summer, with Sholing-based Evans helping South Wilts win a fourth successive title and Murray opening the bowling for the Hampshire Academy.
The trio will link up with Hampshire first team coach Dale Benkenstien and several squad players for a month-long stint of practice and training.
They will also coach the Hilton College students and play for clubs in the Durban area at weekends.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for these three lads, not only from a cricketing perspective, but also coaching, which is perfect for their academic development given their degree courses,” enthused Tom Morton, Solent’s Sports Development officer.
“The university has enabled a flexible approach whereby this programme can be incorporated within the curriculum.
“It also benefits the Solent university cricket programme, competing within the highest echelons of higher education sport.
“This will be ideal for not only the development of the individuals within the current squad, but also the associated recruitment benefits which should come with this.
“It is a great step in the continued links between Southampton Solent University and Hampshire Cricket.”
