The Peterborough Steelbacks Cricket Academy will follow in the footsteps of its Luton counterpart – offering students at Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough the chance to combine extensive education with an elite level cricket programme.

Rick Carroll, Executive Principal at Thomas Deacon Academy, said: “This partnership will be of huge benefit to Thomas Deacon Education Trust and all students within our academies.”

“We have many students at Thomas Deacon Academy (TDA) who are truly passionate about cricket. This opportunity gives them access to first-class coaches, high quality fixtures and to develop their understanding of the game and surrounding career opportunities. We hope that some students may even make it into future NCCC academy sides.

“I am confident that our partnership with NCCC will be a huge success and together we aim to become a centre for excellence in the local area for cricket. We plan to develop young cricket leaders to support the coaching of our younger students and run events for Thomas Deacon Education Trust’s primary academies, as well as rolling out the opportunity to our other sixth form students at Queen Katharine Academy.”

Peterborough Steelbacks Academy students will receive a minimum of 5 hours coaching a week from elite level coaches alongside their academic studies; receiving a high level of support both on and off the field. This will include a training programme and access to TDA fitness suites, as well as time in indoor nets with bowling machines.

“There are exciting times ahead working in the Peterborough area looking for future Steelbacks stars.” Peterborough Steelbacks Cricket Academy Professional Coach David Ripley said.

“I’m looking forward to working with Thomas Deacon Education Trust in the coming months to attract the young cricketers of Peterborough onto the course in September 2023.”

NCCC have been extending their coaching reach over the last year, not only with the Luton Steelbacks but through partnerships with London Schools Association, Buckinghamshire and Cricket East, with Peterborough Steelbacks becoming the latest addition.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Ray Payne said: “The development of a Cricketing academy in Peterborough, combining further education with cricket development, is another exciting step forward in the County Club’s ambitions of supporting cricket development to diverse communities within Northamptonshire and its surrounding partner counties.”

“Providing cricket development support to students in Peterborough, as we have done previously in Luton, expands our reach in the eastern counties developing young cricketers in communities, whilst also furthering their education which is a great combination for young people.”

The first official cohort will begin Sixth Form in September 2023, but recruitment and partnership events will be taking place from this month, including a Masterclass Coaching Session with Northamptonshire County Cricket coaches for Under 15s at Thomas Deacon Academy on Tuesday 21st June 5.30pm-7.00pm. This will be an opportunity to receive coaching from first-class county coaches and find out more information about studying as part of the Peterborough Steelbacks Academy.

For more information or to book onto this session, please email Becky Brown at rbro@tda.education.