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• Sussex Junior cricket squad programme is very successful but it does not necessarily prepare an individual for the jump from amateur to the professional ranks. It does however remain the only vehicle for County staff to measure the potential of our young players in the early stages of their cricketing life.
• Mental notes are made on players as young as 11 years of age by Ian Waring and Chris Waller
• About the age of 15 Chris begins to firm up his ideas of an individual player's ability and considers his inclusion into the Academy
• Before any approach is made by the Club to a young player discussion takes place between Chris Waller and his colleagues County Coach, Peter Moores and 2nd X1 coach , Keith Greenfield.
• The discussion concerns ability,temperament and suitability of the player.
• In the past if a young player could not be placed with the Club they would be recommended to the MCC to participate in the Young Professional programme run by Lords. The MCC would fund the player whilst he played for the Young pros but the player's allegiance remained with the County Club.
• Present policy leans more towards finding a placement within the County Club rather than the MCC in order to exert more influence on the player's development. In the past, when County Clubs had a smaller playing staff , the Young Pros was the ideal haven for such players as Somerset's Ian Botham but today it can be considered by some to be the last chance saloon.
• Whilst playing for the County 2nd X1 Matthew heard rumours about possible contracts but had to concentrate upon his academic studies. In his own mind he had the choice of furthering his studies at University or seek out a contract with a County Club.
• Clearly one can identify a problem for supportive parents. You spend several years encouraging your child's cricketing growth and his academic studies and in no time at all you are confronted with a major question.
  DO I APPLY TO UNIVERSITY or DO I TRY TO MAKE THE GRADE AT PROFESSIONAL SPORT ?
  Some of our players have combined the two and applied to Durham University. Robin Martin Jenkins, Sussex CCC is a good example who played a high standard of cricket at the same time as reading for a Degree.
  James Kirtley,Sussex CCC on the other hand, is a good example of a player who has set aside, for the moment, his academic intentions and struck out in the professional career of cricket.
  
• Every family must come to its own conclusion. One is faced with an 18 year old with stars in his eyes but I suspect with his feet on the ground. As parents you may find the need to loosen the reins a little and be even more supportive of your son's personal choice. As our sporting stars get younger the spotlight does fall upon the parent and the amount of influence brought to bear on the young player. Fine examples range from Sebastian Coe to Justin Rose via several young tennis stars. It is currently felt in the national press that some youngsters achieved far more when the parents stepped back and had less influence on the off spring.
  
• Matthew was approached informally by Keith Greenfield and later attended the Committee Room for a meeting with the Club Captain, Chris Adams and Peter Moores and Keith Greenfield.
  
• Matthew signed and looked eagerly forward to the start of his preparation for the 2001 season.
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