Worcs to train at Malvern College

Worcestershire have announced an agreement with Malvern College to train at the school’s state-of-the art sports complex when it opens next autumn.

The county’s first XI, second XI and academy are set to use the indoor venue, that will include an indoor cricket facility and fitness suite, for match preparation during the winter months and for pre-match training during bad weather in the summer.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton said: "Malvern College has invited us to be involved with this wonderful new facility and they have gone out of their way to incorporate the very best indoor cricket facilities into the complex.

"We have just moved to 12-month contracts for most of our players as we plan for the new domestic structure in 2010. It is not possible for us to develop an indoor facility at New Road so the chance to work in partnership with Malvern College at this time is ideal.

Chief executive Mark Newton is delighted Worcestershire are to use the new facility

“It will give us a winter base with the very best of facilities to help develop our professional and academy players.

“I know our director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, and the rest of our coaching team are very excited about the whole project and what can be achieved when the facility opens next September."

Head of Malvern College Antony Clark said: "We will be delighted to welcome Worcestershire County Cricket Club to Malvern College in September next year.

"It is a clear recognition that in undertaking the new development we are moving to a professional level, giving our pupils and local schools access to some of the best sports facilities in the UK.

"We recognise the importance of an all-round education and value the role sport has to play in this. We have employed professional ex-county players on our staff for many years and continuing the association with county cricket in this way will inspire pupils of all abilities to take part and achieve success in sport."

Chairman of the college council Ian MacLaurin, who is an Old Malvernian and former chairman of the ECB said: "Malvern College has a strong cricketing heritage with England and county players among those who have taught and coached at the college and who have been at school here.

“The partnership between Worcestershire County Cricket Club and the college is a further reflection of our commitment to having one of the best sports facilities in the country."