Thirty-six players hailing from every club in the association have been named in the WDCA junior development academy. 

The academy, which gifts juniors an opportunity to receive specialist coaching in the off-season, will focus on improving player skills as well as mental attributes.

It has also secured the services of newly-appointed Allansford co-coach Dan Schuppan.

Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman and director of junior cricket Gordon McLeod said the academy would also get players thinking about leadership.

“It’ll take in all aspects of the game – batting, bowling, fielding and even captaincy and becoming leaders,” he said.

“I think it’s important to have captains and leaders at junior level and there is a focus on this.

“It’s important to have the game stuff but it’s also important to focus on the leadership side of it.

“There are captains in under 13s, 15s and 17s but we’re looking to develop the ability to make bowling changes and to have input into batting orders.”

Schuppan will be joined by McLeod, Russells Creek’s Andrew Thomson and Nirranda’s Jason Mungean on the academy coaching panel.

McLeod said Schuppan was a coup for the competition and academy.

“He’s been involved at state championship level with Central Highlands, and while he’s committed to playing and coaching at Allansford, he’s also put his hand up here,” he said.

“He brings along excellent coaching attributes to our academy.”

The second-year chairman said the academy placed an emphasis on including players from each club.

He said it was hoped participating players could impart their knowledge on players at their home clubs.

SQUAD

COACHES: Dan Schuppan (Allansford), Andrew Thomson (Russells Creek), Jason Mungean (Russells Creek), Gordon McLeod.

GROUP A: Daniel Hawkins, Max Powell ( Brierly), Fletcher Cozens( Koroit), Flynn Wilkinson, Tom Knight, Hugh Fleming ( Merrivale), Myles McCluggage, Nick Blacker, Sam Artz, Ethan Boyd, ( Allansford), Josh Lucas ( West Panthers), Wil White ( Nestles), Austin Sinclair (Woodford), Max Green (Port Fairy), Walker Owen (Wesley CBC), Bailey Smith ( Allansford), Archie Bolden ( Wesley CBC) Wil Owen ( West Panthers).

GROUP B: Luke Gercovich, Darcy Dobson ( Brierly), Connor McDonald, Sam Cozens, Finn O’Sullivan ( Koroit), Xavier Ellul, Wil Woolstencroft( Wesley CBC), Adam Sztynda, Joe Douglas( Merrivale), Thomas Davis, Liam Loveday ( Nestles), Curren O’Donnell( Dennington),Patrick Hewson, Harry Schrama, Flynn Gleeson ( Allansford), Henry Stansfield ( Nirranda), Noah Dawson ( West Panthers), Isaac Wilson ( East Warrnambool YCW).