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  MATTHEW'S NEW YEAR 2001 BEGINS
  If visible determination and an aggressive attitude towards playing the game of cricket are important aspects for success in the game of professional cricket then Matthew has moved off the bottom rung of the ladder.
  A brief look at Matthew's school life
• As a school boy he left South Africa and with his parents settled into the daily life of the town of Brighton.
• He joined Dorothy Stringer School but was soon to be offered a Cricket Scholarship to the Junior School of Brighton College. He first attended the school for an interview with the Headmaster and under went academic tests.
• He moved to the main school and settled in to the life, work and play of Brighton College.
• Other County squad players who also attended the College in Matthew's time were Patrick Spencer, Carl Hopkinson and Christopher Grammer.
• Up to the age of Under 14 the College entered the Sussex Schools Inter Schools competition but found that most of the State Schools were possibly not always strong enough to compete. Matthew did feel , however, that some of the State Schools were probably better than some of the private schools who, unlike Brighton College, did not place so much emphasis on the game of cricket.
• Matthew's first taste of College First X1 was when he was in the 4th year . He did not however become a regular and settled back down to play cricket at his own age group.
• The College requires that the player places the School first and there were times when Matthew was disappointed that he had to miss some County matches.
• He progressed to the First X1 and played 4 seasons in the very successful side.
• He left with very fond memories and reveals considerable gratitude to the staff and members of the College.
• He achieved 3 A level passes an A,B, and C which may or may not play an important part in his future life.
  For any of our young players considering Cricket Scholarships it is quite clear that Matthew gained tremendously from the all round education of Brighton College. He found the discipline to his liking and the demands made by academic study was far in excess of his previous experience.
  Listening to Matthew I had only one query which I did not wish him to respond to.
  4 years playing in a team with only the challenge of a new season may not seem sufficient motivation. I well remember reading with pride when Carl Hopkinson scored 150 for Brighton College First team when he was in his fifth year. I wondered at the time what he could possibly do for an encore.
  Young players have the choice of leaving school and playing Club cricket with a view to seeking a professional contract at the age of 17. Matthew chose to stay at School and complete his School cricket career and his academic studies. For him, he is convinced that this was the right decision.

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