The club have been delighted to hear that U13 player Rhys Baker, with the help of club Head Coach Wayne Pascall, has accepted a sporting scholarship at the renowned Clifton College. We caught up with proud parents Kerry and Danny to find out more.....

"During lockdown last year we had a phone call from Wayne, who has been coaching Rhys since the age of 10, had heard through his contacts there were opportunities at Clifton College for talented young cricketer’s, as they are looking to strengthen their cricketing presence to challenge the top colleges and he wondered if this was a path we would be interested in for Rhys. After some thought we decided this was an opportunity we couldn’t let slip.

Wayne provided us with the contact details for the Director of Cricket at Clifton for us to continue the conversation directly with him and after an initial conversation we agreed to meet in person. In October, we travelled down to Clifton and met with John Bobby (Director of Cricket) who gave us a tour of the sporting facilities and school site, but due to Covid restrictions we were unable to venture inside. Both Rhys and ourselves were impressed with the school and the opportunities it could provide him.

After deliberation we then began the application process and requested references from Wayne, his current school and Martial Arts instructor, in the meantime Rhys was invited to a sporting scholarship day but this was unfortunately cancelled several times due to the impact of Covid restrictions, eventually we were asked to provide videos of Rhys in action, and fortunately we have a few.

In February we received an email offering Rhys a 5-year sporting scholarship, this was his entry offer into the college. Rhys was then invited down to Clifton for an hour net session with several other U15 protentional pupils and he came out buzzing from the session, even more certain this was the place for him.

Without Wayne’s foresight, support and contacts this opportunity would have been missed and we thank him for this. Rhys will start at Clifton College as a full-time boarder in September and will continue his journey guided by Gloucestershire & Glamorgan CCC professionals. Rhys added: I’m looking forward to all the opportunities which Clifton can offer me, and I’m really grateful for all the help and support I’ve received from Wayne, and can’t wait for September to come.”

We wish Rhys well when he starts boarding.....but hope we can sneak him out for Swindon CC matches in the future!