Penrith Cricket Club to nurture junior talent with elite academy

Penrith Cricket Club will look to nurture the junior talent in the region with the launch of an elite training academy this week.

Josh Lalor with new academy members Ben Tracey, 12, Luke Gale, 13, Lindsay Smith, 15 and Trent Weir, 15. (Matt Sullivan)

Penrith Cricket Club will launch an Elite Training Academy next week, something bowler Josh Lalor said was long overdue.

The academy has been established to identify and nurture cricketing talent in the area, with the club joining only a handful of Sydney Grade Clubs who have their own Elite Academy and specialised training programs.

“It’s something that’s long overdue, in terms of the grade cricket club getting their hands on the younger talent in the area and managing it until they’re seniors and play first grade,” Lalor said.

Penrith District Juniors from the St Clair Hawks u/15 and Penrith RSL.

Cricket club manager and academy director Warren Buttigieg has overseen the development of the program for the last two years.

“We’ve had feedback from a lot of people, ex-cricketers, and put in a lot of hard work. Now we’re ready to roll out next week,” Buttigieg said.

“The reason we’re doing this is to give our juniors a clear pathway through to grade cricket.”

Penrith bowler Glenn Venables up against Sydney in the Fourth Grade final at Drummoyne Oval.

A panel of selectors picked the best of the best from various junior clubs in the inaugural 14s, 16s and 19s teams for the 10-week program.

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“We’ll have specialised batting coaching, fast and spin bowling. So three dedicated coaches per two-hour session,” Buttigieg said.

“Josh Lalor will be involved, we’ll definitely get Pat Cummins down to do some work, and also have ex-first class players in Kevin Geyer, Dale Turner and a number of current first graders involved.”

Penrith team mates congratulate bowler Josh Lalor.

Thunder's Josh Lalor celebrates his wicket in the Big Bash. (Phil Hillyard)

Lalor said he looked forward to passing on his knowledge to the young players.

“Enjoy your cricket. You’re not always going to be the person that takes five wickets or scores 100, but if you enjoy the people you do it with and celebrate their success, it makes the game a lot more enjoyable,” he said.

“In five years time you’d like to see 20-30 kids in here every week with coaches that have a couple of years success under their belt.

“And to see our junior rep teams having success on the field.”

The club will launch the academy on Wednesday at Howell Oval from 4.30pm before the first session at 5pm. The inaugural under-14s, 16s and 19s will receive their shirts.