Selected girls’ and boys’ squads from Gloucestershire have travelled to Sri Lanka today with Travel Partners, Lions Sports Travel, for a tour of a lifetime in which they will play five matches each against local opposition.
Lions Sport Travel (LOGO)
The girl’s county age group squad, led by the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation (GCF), and the GCCC’s squad of 15 boys, will spend 12 days in the South Asian country between 15 February and 27 February. The tour will give the up-and-coming pathway players, whose ages range between 15 and 18-years-old, the chance to test themselves against overseas opposition in hot and humid weather conditions.
The party of talented youngsters is led by Foundation Chief Executive Steve Silk, with a highly experienced coaching team. Ex-England international and current Western Storm player, Fran Wilson, and her fellow Western Storm teammate, Mollie Robbins will support the girls, whilst Gloucestershire Cricket’s Head of Talent Pathway, Tim Hancock, and his colleague, Paul Muchall, will lead the boys.
Each team will play five matches against a variety of native teams during the tour, and both will take part in headline fixtures at the renowned
First Class Comms (LOGO)
Galle International Ground: a regular venue for international cricket.
Girls Academy fixtures for tour of Sri Lanka:
- 18 February vs FOG Academy at Galle International Ground (40 over)
- 19 February vs Gampaha District Development squad at Ordnance CC (40 over)
- 21 February vs Rathnaweli College, venue TBC (40 over)
- 23 February vs North Central Province Team at Samadhi CC (40 over)
- 24 February vs Kandy Province Team at Dambulla International Ground (40 over)
Boys Academy fixtures for tour of Sri Lanka:
- 18 February vs Panadura Academy at Ordnance CC (50 over)
- 19 February vs FOG Academy at Galle International Ground (50 over)
- 21 February vs Sri Sumangala first XI at Panadura CC (50 over)
- 23 February vs Kandy Province team at Welagedera Stadium (50 over)
- 24 Feb vs Maliyadva School at Maliyadva School venue (50 over)
Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation, Steve Silk, said:
“This will be our 4th tour with Lions Sports Travel and to say that our players are going to experience something that will remain in their memories for life, is an understatement.
We have seen players develop and grow during these tours since 2016, some of which, have now gone on to play at the highest level in both the men’s and women’s game. Tours like these are incredible development opportunities and the coaches look forward to seeing how this tour party embrace the challenges that lie ahead.
Huge thanks must go to our Women and Girls Pathway Partner, First Class Comms, who have supported this tour and helped us give these players such brilliant opportunities.”
In between competitive action and team training sessions, both squads will have the privilege of visiting a turtle hatchery, will experience a river boat safari whilst also taking in the splendor of the Dambulla Cave Temple and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress.