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• Every year young players set their aim on becoming a professional cricketer.
• The District and the County programme leads towards the Academy and the First Class Club.
• Some Junior players take up a contract with the County Club
• Some Junior Players make a career in County cricket
• Some Junior players leave the County Club for other County Clubs
• Some Junior players leave the County Club and the game of cricket
• Some Junior players lose their place on the County staff as a result of " imports"
  
  By following Matthew in his first year we hope to provide young cricketers with an insight into his cricketing life during his first season. The study will be very subjective and it is not intended to seek answers to such questions as "why Sussex Juniors succeed or fail?"
  Other people can use the information to seek their own answers and, if there is a need for improvement, make adjustments in the care of Sussex Juniors as they sign a contract with the County Club.
  
• The project will begin with a detailed report about Matthew as he moved through the ranks of Junior cricket at School, Club, County, Regional and National level.
• Chris Waller, will provide insights into his work as Director of Excellence. He will reveal his reasoning as to why he recommended Matthew to the County Club and give his perception of Matthew's future prospects.
• County staff will offer their projections for Matthew's first year
• Matthew will then takes us through his thoughts as he prepares for his first year.
• During the winter we will follow Matthew as he spends at least 3 sessions a week at the County Club in preparation for the first day in March when the players return for the new season.
  We will seek out answers to such questions as

1. How much quality cricket have you had this week ?
2. What is your present diet ? Have changes got to be made ?
3. How fit are you ? What training programme are you undertaking ?
4. What pressure are you under from parents/peers?
5. Questions will be posed on Matthew's social life if they are relevant to his cricketing ambitions.
6. How a young professional manages his finances ( what finances !! )
7. Is there a prepared programme in case of a. success b. failure after the first year.
   
   In the summer we will concentrate more upon his cricket out in the middle.
   If you have a question that you would like Matthew to answer please e-mail sxyc@btinternet.com
   
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