Supporting players through every stage
The Warwickshire Pathway provides young players with opportunities to develop their game in a supportive, challenging and safe environment, with clear routes towards the Academy and potentially Bears Men and Women.
Developing Warwickshire's next generation
Warwickshire County Cricket Club's Academy was one of the first licensed ECB Academies, receiving its licence in 2001.
The Pathway is designed to identify and develop talent emerging through Warwickshire County Age Group cricket. Players progress at different rates, so selection remains fluid, open-minded and focused on long-term development rather than a fixed age or timeline.
A pathway built around individual development
Our programmes recognise that players develop at different speeds and in different areas of their game. Development does not finish at 18, and progression through the Pathway is considered with that in mind.
01
Early Engagement Programme (EEP)
The EEP is positioned at Under 10-12, before the introduction of the County Age Group Programme for boys and girls at Under 13. The programme involves both winter practice and summer match-play opportunities which are localised and allow for more players, more opportunity and more fluidity.
02
County Age Group Programme (CAG)
The County Age Group (CAG) Programme is delivered by all 18 First Class Counties and 21 National Counties and involves coaching sessions over the winter months and a summer programme of competitive fixtures.
03
Emerging Player Programme (EPP)
The EPP is made up of players selected from County Age Group Cricket, primarily from the U13-U16 age groups, with flexibility where appropriate.
04
Academy
The Academy Programme is a year-round programme where the players selected are mainly based within the senior County Age Group squads, with the main focus on training several hours per week with the aim of becoming a professional cricketer.
Boys Pathway documents
The EPP / Academy Programmes cover
Welfare and safety are central to the Pathway
Warwickshire County Cricket Club takes the welfare and safety of players in its Pathway extremely seriously. Academy and EPP player guidance contains detailed policies covering key welfare areas, and staff are briefed and trained so that concerns can be handled professionally and sensitively.
What we look for in Warwickshire players
Development is about more than technical ability. Coaching staff look for behaviours that help players contribute positively to their own development, their teammates and the wider Warwickshire environment.
Player Core Behaviours framework
Joining the Warwickshire Youth Pathway
The Warwickshire Youth Pathway gives talented young cricketers a structured route through the junior system, with coaching, observation and development opportunities that can lead towards the Academy and potentially Bears Men and Women.
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle have now closed. We will update this page when the next application window, dates and process are confirmed.
U10–U12 application route
For the 2026–27 cycle, a parent or guardian could nominate a player directly. Eligible players were then invited to in-person observation sessions, with soft-ball and hard-ball options available.
U13–U18 application route
For the 2026–27 cycle, boys and girls applied by submitting video footage of batting, bowling or wicketkeeping. Pathway coaches reviewed the submissions, with selected players progressing to further in-person observation and coaching.
After each application deadline, the Pathway coaching team reviews submissions and observations. Applicants who progress are contacted directly with details of the next stage.
What the Pathway offers
Players have access to specialist coaching and development within Warwickshire's junior pathway environment.
Through Warwickshire's partnership with the University of Birmingham, programme fees for U10–U18 Pathway players have been removed and players receive a Pathway kit bundle.
The Pathway also operates a Bursary Fund initiative, designed to support families where cost is a barrier to talent inclusion. Applications are reviewed by an independent panel.
Application dates and assessment methods can change from year to year, so this page will remain the main landing point for future updates.
Safeguarding and support
If you have a safeguarding or welfare concern involving a player, please speak to our safeguarding team. You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before raising a concern.
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