Bermuda Cricket Board announced yesterday they had secured an annual place for a young Bermudian cricketer at the prestigious University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) International Cricket Academy in South Africa for the next five years.

The programme will begin next year and is being funded by an anonymous donor with a particular interest in the development of young cricketers in Bermuda.

The UPE academy has established itself as one of the leading institutions through which talented young cricketers are able to develop to their full potential.

Current South African Test and one day international wicketkeeper/batsman Mark Boucher is a leading graduate of the school while other alumni include current Test players Justin Kemp, Mfuneko Ngam and Ashwell Prince from South Africa and Trevor Gripper, the opening batsman from Zimbabwe.

The academy has also produced a host of provincial (first class) cricketers, many of whom have represented South Africa ‘A' and their under-19 side.

The programme is headed by Kepler Wessels, the former captain and opening batsman of South Africa who also carries the rare distinction of having played Test cricket for two separate countries. He opened the batting for Australia in the mid 1980s before switching allegiance to the land of his birth after its emergence from cricketing exile in 1991.

The 2004 schedule runs for eight weeks between January 12 and March 8. During this period, the players will be subject to numerous evaluations, observations and assessments which will include the extensive use of video analysis. Technical changes may be made along with advice on goal setting, concentration and visualisation while there will be a particular emphasis on the development of each player's physical fitness throughout the programme.

BCB treasurer Neil Speight was clearly delighted with the opportunities the new funding will provide.

“We are excited and proud about this new partnership,” he said.

“On one hand, we have secured an annual place at one of the world's premier cricketing learning establishments, and at the same time we have found a generous and committed sponsor. We are happy to be able to offer this opportunity to young developing cricketers as part of our elite player development strategy.

“We are especially pleased that the sponsor has been able to see the value of sponsoring a five year continuous programme that allows us to plan ahead in the knowledge that one of the building blocks for elite player development is in place.”

The Board expect to make an announcement in the near future as to which player has been selected to attend the academy for the 2004 programme.