Warwickshire continues powerful education partnership with The Sandwell Colleges

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The powerful partnership between Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, and The Sandwell Colleges is set to grow even stronger, as the organisations proudly confirm a further extension of the Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme.

2026-10-08T10:00+01:00

The hugely successful programme, delivered from the iconic Edgbaston Stadium in collaboration with the Club, the Foundation and The Sandwell Colleges, has produced first team players and fielded a new generation of future champions. The Sandwell Colleges has several institutions across the region, including Cadbury College in Kings Norton.

More than 70 students have completed the course since its inception in 2021, including most notably Davina Perrin and Hamza Shaikh, who both graduated from the programme and have gone on to make first team appearances for Warwickshire.

The Foundation now has three full-time coaches that have graduated from the programme, as well as a number of other graduates that have taken on sessional coaching opportunities. They have also seen graduates go on to coach in Australia and several others continue on to university to complete coaching degrees.

The two-year Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme is designed to support a career in professional sport and highlights the diverse range of roles available at Edgbaston Stadium and the wider cricket industry, whether in the playing department, hospitality staff, grounds staff or in club administration.

It offers BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Sports Development & Coaching, plus ECB-accredited courses, First Aid classes, training at Edgbaston’s Indoor Cricket Centre, plus summer and winter matches.

Fidelis Navas, Managing Director of the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, said: "This programme sits at the heart of our mission to grow and celebrate talent in cricket. Every graduate inspires us; those now working with us, those pursuing further study, and those who’ve taken what they learned into new careers. If you’re 15 years old, and curious about coaching, this is an opportunity that can genuinely shape your future."

Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and Principal of The Sandwell Colleges, said: “This is a major step forward for sports education and community opportunity, and we are delighted to extend the hugely successful Edgbaston Cricket Education Programme with Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation. Together, we are strengthening our commitment to developing the next generation of cricket and sporting talent, while helping young people build valuable skills, confidence and teamwork that will benefit them both on and off the field.”

College alumni Blake Quddus and Olivia Clarke both started their journeys on the programme at Edgbaston Stadium. Today, they are proud members of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club team, showcasing the impact of industry partnerships, meaningful placements, and skills that go beyond the classroom.

Blake believes his work placement was fundamental to becoming a paid community coach, as it allowed him to build the connections he needed to progress.

He said: “I would especially recommend this course if you are looking to progress into a career of sports coaching and go into the sports industry. It doesn’t have to be necessarily cricket but if you want to go into something like physiotherapy or coaching, or anything media related, it can help you to do that.”

Olivia says she is so grateful to be where she is now as she never dreamed cricket would lead to such exciting career opportunities.

She said: “What I enjoyed most was probably the opportunities and the experience I got. It’s definitely helped with skills and learning, and it’s helped me in the real world with working. If it wasn’t for Sandwell I would not be working here. It’s given me a great opportunity – lots of open doors.”

Successful completion of the course provides learners with the equivalent to 3 A Levels, giving them the opportunity to progress to university to study degree courses such as Physical Education, Teaching, Sports Therapy, Cricket Coaching and Sports Development, as well as to progress to a foundation degree.

There is also the possibility of progressing to apprenticeships within the sports industry in roles such as grass roots sports coach and sports development, allowing students to get paid and gain valuable experience as well as gain a qualification. They can alternatively go straight into the world of work as a cricket coach working in schools and coaching companies, using the EBC Level 1 and First Aid industry qualifications.