The Academy

At Spencer, there is plenty of junior cricket for most boys up to and including the U15 age group, after which the number of competitive age group playing opportunities declines with no U16 or U18 competitions. Academy is the section of the club that bridges the junior and adult sections and covers U16 to U21 and provides both training and playing opportunities. The aim in Academy is to ensure we can accommodate both those players whose ambition is to play in the 1st XI and beyond and those who just enjoy the game and want to continue to participate. It actively encourages playing opportunities across a mixed age group whilst also liaising with the adult teams so as to ensure that boys get to play when the opportunity arises.

Independent of the eventual integration into adult cricket, the Academy is responsible for 5 teams:-

Surrey Trust League This is a 40 over Sunday league that includes adults but requires 7 U21s, of whom at least 5 must be U18. There are several Tiers and this year we have entered an additional team so that this year we have:

Academy 1st XI - this team plays in STL Tier 1. 2 members of the Men’s 1st XI play in the team which strengthens the side but also gives the Academy members a great experience of playing with them. Our focus is on excellence and winning the competition.

Academy 2nd XI- this team plays in STL Tier 3. Our focus here is to be competitive but also to ensure participation.

U19 Spitfires This team plays in the County T20 competition in Tier 1. There are group stages and then playoffs. Our focus is on excellence and winning the competition. U19 matches are played weekdays – usually Fridays.

U17 County Competition – we have two teams in this T20 competition.

U17 1st XI – this team plays in Tier 1. Group stages lead to playoffs and then a final for the Denis Jacobs Cup. Spencer won the competition in 2019.

U17 2nd XI – this team plays in Tier 2 and allows us to ensure playing opportunities for all U16s/17s.

In addition to the above, the Earls provide a further route for junior development into adult cricket with friendlies against a number of local teams and opportunities to play home games on the main Spencer ground.

From the age of 16, there is also active encouragement for players to consider enrollment in the ECB Coach Support Worker courses to further enhance their development and to maintain a close association with Spencer.

From aged 18 they can complete the Foundation One and higher coaching qualifications. Many Academy members assist with junior cricket training and holiday camps.