University of Brighton and Sussex Cricket join forces to nurture state school talent

Under the programme, students from the university’s School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences are giving tailored strength and conditioning training to 13-16-year-old boys at Sussex Cricket who attend local state schools. The programme is based at the University of Brighton’s new Brighton Sport and Health Complex at its recently revamped Falmer campus, which includes state-of-the-art gym and fitness facilities.

Led by masters’ student Ross Evans, who is studying for a Strength and Conditioning MSc, the programme includes two 10-week training blocks designed to build foundational strength and trunk stability essential for preventing injuries and enabling long-term success.

University of Brighton students using the Strength and Condition Suite

The programme comes after a recent report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) found that class remains a major barrier within the current structure and talent development channels of the sport. The report recommended immediate action to tackle the lack of inclusion and democratise access to opportunities within cricket. Of the 5,072 private and state secondary schools in England and Wales, private schools make up 28.2% and yet they represent 70.9% of the secondary schools that are connected with professional cricket teams across the country.

By offering professional-level strength and conditioning support to these young players from state schools, the project which is in its pilot phase, seeks to level the playing field among aspiring cricketers and accelerate their development for greater access and opportunity in the sport.

Ross, who is project lead for programme said: “This programme has enabled us to provide important support to these boys, which was previously not accessible to players their age in state schools. After the first few weeks, we have seen a lot of progress. The players have become more engaged in the sessions and being able to do this with young people has been a truly rewarding experience.”

Ross and the other University of Brighton students delivering the programme are mentored by Dan Howells, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences, who provides technical support across the programme.

Dan said: “The development of our Falmer campus provided us an opportunity to expand our ongoing partnership with Sussex Cricket. Because of this, our masters students take up placement within the club’s professional team while providing young cricketers with support they would otherwise be unable to receive until they are older and further into the cricket pathway.”

Dave McIlwaine, Sussex Cricket’s Head of Performance, said: “It is great to have Ross and his fellow University of Brighton students provide an extra hour of valuable strength and conditioning training every week to help our young cricketers reach their potential. This is an incredibly significant boost to the development of the players.”

As the programme evolves, there are plans for broader community access to improve the initiative, which represents a meaningful step toward greater inclusivity and development within cricket.