The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket from playground to Test arena. Its Performance Department is responsible for identifying and developing the most talented young cricketers in the country, and the development and implementation of national development and coaching programmes.

In order to continue the substantial progress made to date, the ECB, with support from Sport England, has offered licences to seven First Class Counties to establish the foundations of a new national network of ECB County Cricket Academies. The aim of each County Academy is to identify cricketers who have the potential of playing at the highest level of the game, and provide them with the opportunity of fulfilling their potential.

The Academy Director will be responsible for co-ordinating and delivering cricket programmes for the County Academy to accelerate and concentrate the cricket education of identified potential County and International cricketers. You will need an ECB Level III coaching award or international equivalent and experience as a County player (or extensive knowledge of First Class County Cricket). You must have a minimum of 3 years experience of coaching talented cricketers within the County of National Development of Excellence programmes. You will also possess excellent communication and organisational skills.

The project will be centrally driven by the ECB but locally delivered. The Academy Director and support staff will be employed by the County Academy and applications for these posts will be passed on to the relevant County.

Please telephone or write requesting an information pack to: Natasha Mason, ECB, Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW8 8QZ.

Email: recruitment@ecb.co.uk or telephone 020 7432 1171.

Closing date for applications is Friday 6 December 2002.

© ECB 2002