National team pace bowler Stefan Kelly has been offered conditional places at top cricketing schools Leeds University, Loughborough University and Glamorgan University for the 2008/9 academic year.

Kelly, who currently attends Oakham School in the United Kingdom, has to obtain high 'A' level grades in exams which he is currently taking.

All three universities have a Cricketing Centre of Excellence (UCCE), which provide first class cricketing facilities, coaching and the latest innovations in video analysis, sports science and medical support.

UCCE offers players the opportunity to take part in a top cricketing programme while at the same time allowing them to gain a first class academic degree.

Kelly performed well for his school in the cricketing arena and was selected to captain Oakham's first team in the absence of the school's injured skipper.

During the current term, the young Bermudian took three wickets for 35 runs while scoring 15 runs off 17 balls batting at number six in a two-wicket victory over St. Albans.

He also scored 35 off 30 balls as his side defeated Peterborough Deacons by 35 runs, and returned bowling figues of one for five off five overs.

Kelly played a part in Bermuda's build-up to last year's World Cup in the Caribbean and was included in the final World Cup squad but didn't feature in any of the matches against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or India in Trinidad.

President of the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB), Reggie Pearman, said: "The Board are extremely pleased with Stefan's progress at Oakham. He has done exceptionally well, both academically and in cricket.

"It is a great achievement to have been offered three conditional places at such prestigious cricketing universities.

"I would like to take this time to thank the Bank of Bermuda Foundation for supporting Stefan's schooling at Oakham and wish Stefan the best of luck with his remaining exams."