The Centre of Excellence at the County Ground in Taunton was a hive of activity earlier on this morning with many youngsters attending special half term courses that were being run.

Somerset Cricket Development Officer Andrew Moulding told me: "There are so many youngsters here at the moment it's unreal. All of our half term courses have been very well supported, which is very pleasing.

"We are already very busy and at the moment there is unprecedented demand at the Centre of Excellence.

"Currently there are no slots available for one to one coaching between now and the start of the new cricket season. We are now looking at opportunities for one-to-one coaching and club nets for the period between the middle of April and early May.

"Another activity that is very popular is the Birmingham Midshires Award Scheme on a Monday and Tuesday evening with one to one coaching, and club nets on Thursday evening."

Since the Centre for Excellence was opened by then Prime Minister John Major in 1995 it has gone from strength to strength, and currently has a data base of well over a thousand youngsters who are involved in the cricketing activities that are currently offered. This is in addition to all of the adults who also use the facility, which is very good news for everyone involved in Somerset cricket.

"In the near future a new reception area will be created at the Centre to make it more welcoming. This will have a staff presence and to help out with this we have appointed Brian Hoyle, as an admin assistant and receptionist," Mr Moulding told me.

Brian Hoyle joins a team at the Centre of Excellence which includes Mark Garaway, who is the Director of both the ECB and the Somerset Academy and Somerset Assistant Coach, Pete Sanderson who is Youth Development Officer and Coaching Coordinator, and Guy Wolfenden, Andrew Moulding's assistant who is currently absent from the centre after undergoing a knee operation.

Andrew Moulding concluded: "The Centre of Excellence has been a real success story, and at the moment we can't advertise our courses because if we did we'd be embarrassed."

Anyone who wishes to find out more about any of the activities that are offered at the Centre Of Excellence should contact the Somerset Cricket Development Oficer Andrew Moulding on 01823 352266.

© SOMERSET