Following the end of a difficult and disappointing 2019 season for Senior Cricket at Aberdeenshire, resulting in our relegation from the Eastern Premier League, the Club in response has set out a positive and ambitious plan to strengthen and develop cricket at all levels and age groups within the Club.

The Cricket Committee produced a blueprint document setting out an initial and ambitious Cricket Progression timeline for the next 4 years, recognising the need for a clear Development Philosophy supporting a defined player development pathway - Starting with age 5 boys and girls in the All Stars programme, through to senior representative Cricket. Cricket and participation goals were set in relation to Club and Player expectations in order to try to achieve these goals. This document was presented to the playing membership at a specially arranged “Cricket Summit.” This blueprint received full support at the “Cricket Summit” and as a result the Cricket Committee then secured significant budget approval from the Management Committee to proceed with the action plan.

The first part of the action plan being to appoint a year round coach starting in January 2020 that will, for the first time in our Clubs history, provide structured training and coaching for both Junior and Snr cricketers at an indoor facility through the winter for a 12 week period running up to the start of the 2020 season. This is a fantastic opportunity for all our players to develop and improve their games and to get a flying start to the new season.

Year Round Club Coach

The Club is delighted to have engaged Daniel Sutton in this role; Daniel is an experienced and highly qualified coach – ICC Global Level 3 with an Honours degree in Sports Development, Coaching and Physical Education. Dan is currently Caledonian Highlanders Head Coach, Scottish Universities Head Coach, Scotland U19 and 17 and Aberdeen University Head Coach.

Club Professional – Hashen Ramanayake

For the 2020 season the Club has engaged the highly rated Sri Lankan all-rounder Hashen Ramanayake. Hashen is a top order batsman, right arm fast bowler and an ECB Level 2 qualified coach. Although Hashen is still only 24 he now has 5 years experience playing in the UK and has been part of league winning teams in England and has helped secure league promotion on 3 occasions. Hashen is also familiar with Scottish conditions having played for West of Scotland in 2017.