Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman and director of junior cricket Gordon McLeod said players missed out last year due to the COVID pandemic but it was hoped the academy program could be hosted in coming weeks, starting August 1.

"Coaching sessions will be held at Action Sportz Indoor Cricket Centre in Mortlake Road and it's planned to have at least one session at both the Mortlake and Port Fairy indoor cricket facilities," he said.

"The 50 players have been picked in two age appropriate groups and the sessions will be on Sundays between 3pm and 4.30pm.

Group one will be in action on August 1, August 15, August 29, September 12 and September 26.

Group two sessions will be conducted on August 8, August 22, September 5, September 19 and October 3.

"The coaches have requested attending players bring a mobile phone so that individual player batting and bowling activities can be recorded and then feedback provided to assist in player development," he said.

"The cost of venue hire will be $5 per player for each session and WDCA Junior Development Academy training tops will be available for purchase and to wear at the sessions for $15 each."

McLeod said it was planned that each group would attend a session at the Port Fairy and the Mortlake indoor cricket centres and details of those dates would be announced during the program.

"The sessions will be conducted by the WDCA level two accredited coaches Andrew Thomson (mobile number 0475 954 480) and Jason Mungean (0407 097 910).

"All under 13 country week coaches, and any other interested junior coaches, are invited to attend and be involved in these sessions."

The chairman said the two groups included an older selection of players who tried out for last season's WDCA under 13 country week teams but were unable to be involved in that program due to COVID restrictions.

"The second group will include younger players who will be in line for selection for the 2021-22 junior country week teams," he said.

"This academy provides the opportunity for players to receive quality specialised coaching with the aim of helping them to prepare well for the upcoming junior cricket season starting in October 2021 and possible country week involvement.

"It is important that the selected players make every effort to attend their allocated coaching sessions as there are many other juniors not selected who are interested.

"Coaches are aware that some players have junior football final commitments over this period on Sundays, which may impact on attendance.

"Players will be added to the program if positions become vacant.

"The academy has run for just over 10 years and has provided a great springboard for juniors, some of which now play Premier Cricket in Melbourne.

"It's a proven successful formula and every year we are delighted by the improvement of dedicated juniors," he said.

Group 1: Bailey Dwyer (Port Fairy), Charlie James (Allansford-Panmure), Jarryd Ferguson (Nirranda), Sam Conboy (Nestles), Cooper Edmonds (West Warrnambool), Toby Madden (Merrivale), Rylee Parsons (Nirranda), Hugo Artz (Allansford-Panmure), Jack Lenehan (Nestles), Brock Gannon (Merrivale), Archer Boyle (Merrivale), Thomas Bellman (North Warrnambool Eels), Callum Leahy (Dennington), Hudson Owen (Wesley/Yambuk Beavers), Ted Hunter (Nestles), Beau Williams (West Warrnambool), Xavier Harris (North Warrnambool Eels), Oliver Kenna (Nestles), Jake Carman (Brierly Christ Church), Mitch Bryce (Allansford-Panmure), Archie Poumako (Allansford-Panmure), Mack Mills (Allansford-Panmure), Lachlan McCosh (Koroit), Moss McInerney (Dennington), and Ryan Mottram (Nirranda).

Group 2: Harrison Barnes (Russells Creek), Ned Russell (Brierly-Christ Church), Lachlan Gome (Brierly-Christ Church), Josh McKenzie (Nirranda), Archie Hocking (Port Fairy), Samuel Short (Russells Creek), Brandon Lynch (Russells Creek), Cohen Laidlaw (Koroit), Cruz Perry (Koroit), Mitchell McCosh (Koroit), Lachlan Rea (Allansford-Panmure), Zac Smith (Allansford-Panmure), Eamon West (Port Fairy), Sam Anderson (Brierly-Christ Church), Aiden Dwyer (Port Fairy), Lachlan Lloyd (Port Fairy), Rhys Wallace (Merrivale), David Boyd (Allansford-Panmure), Beau Gannon (Merrivale), Connor Brisbane (Allansford-Panmure), Josh McKenzie (Nirranda), Ryder McLean (West Warrnambool), Jacob Lucas (West Warrnambool), Finn Parkinson (West Warrnambool) and Hayden Nevill (Nirranda).

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