Young Yorkshire star Finch one of first receipients of new award (From Wharfedale Observer)

Young Yorkshire star Finch one of first receipients of new award

8:39am Thursday 28th August 2008

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CRICKETER James Finch, 19, who started his career with Guiseley CC, was one of four young Yorkshire players who became the first recipients of the Advanced Apprenticeship of Sporting Excellence, a new qualification designed to provide key skills and qualifications to young cricketers aged 16-19.

Other Yorkshire recipients were James Lee, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Rochelle Petty.

ECB Performance Manager David Graveney made the presentation during the interval of the NatWest One Day International at Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground.

In an innovative partnership between the Learning and Skills Council and the England and Wales Cricket Board players attending cricket academies can gain additional qualifications and skills whilst furthering their cricket careers through the AASE programme.

The four are all attendees at the Yorkshire CCC Cricket Academy. Finch has reached the key stages of the Apprenticeship; working for 780 hours (the equivalent of two A Levels), achieving Key Skills at Level 2 in communication and application, a BTEC National Award in Sport, and the ECB delivered NVQ element of the qualification.

The NVQ Level 3 in Sporting Excellence includes education on physical conditioning, lifestyle, nutrition, business management and media training, providing a portfolio of understanding for young cricketers as they embark on their senior careers.

All 16-18 year olds within First Class County Academies are eligible to join the scheme, which lasts approximately 22 months. By December 2008, a further 49 players are expected to complete the Apprenticeship.

Finch, who joined Esholt after leaving Guiseley, said: "I really enjoyed the apprenticeship course and feel this will be invaluable to me as something to fall back on should my cricket career not kick on as I would hope it will do. I'd like to thank Tony Pickersgill for his help and assistance throughout the course."

Finch, a right hand bat and right arm off spin bowler made his county debut in the Second XI Championship in April, 2006 against Durham at Stamford Bridge. His Second XI Championship career best bowling is 4-75. for Yorkshire against Sussex at Hove in 2006.

He was promoted from the Academy to Junior Professional in 2008. As a schools player he went on the schools' exchange visit to Bloemfontein, South Africa.

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