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Hampshire Academy given thumbs up to join Southern Premier League
Mike Vimpany - 10 October 2001
Hampshire County Cricket Club's plan to field a team made up of fledgling contracted players and academy students in the Southern Electric ECB Premier League next season has been given the thumbs up.
Clubs voted overwhelmingly at last night's (WED) general meeting to allow the county side into the league next year.
They will take the place of Farnborough-based Cove, who are returning to play in the Thames Valley League.
The likelihood is that they will play in the Second Division - the "Silver" league - although the various promotions and relegations from last summer have yet to be ratified.
Hampshire will be the third First Class county to field a team in an ECB-accredited Premier club cricket competition.
Both Durham and Northants operate successful 'Academy' teams in their regional leagues.
Welcoming the decision, Hampshire Second XI coach Tony Middleton described Hampshire's entry into the Premier League as "significant to the development of young cricketers and their preparation for First Class cricket."
He pointed out that 12 or more of the current county staff were 'home grown' players.
And stressed that "it is our aim over the next five years to have 65 per cent of the future Hampshire county staff having passed through this Premier League team.
Hampshire will be allowed to field four contracted county professionals, under the age of 24 years, alongside Hampshire's Academy students and a senior ex-professional in their county XI.
"The young cricketers in the county squad will be trained in a totally professional environment - and that can surely only be beneficial to their prospects of making the grade," Middleton added.
"I am sure our participation will increase overall playing standards in the league and be a significant development of cricket awareness in our young players."
Hampshire will play their home Southern Electric Premier League matches on the Nursery ground at the Rose Bowl.
© SPCL / Daily Echo
| Teams | England. |
| First Class Teams | Hampshire. |
| Players/Umpires | Tony Middleton. |
| Tournaments | Southern Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |
| Grounds | The Main Oval, Hampshire Rose Bowl, Southampton Nursery Ground, Hampshire Rose Bowl, Southampton |