GIRLS from Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire clubs are among the cricketersto be named on the 2017 Girls Emerging Players programme.

Among the 13 players, from various age groups, named on the programme are three from Frenchay Cricket Club, two from Bristol Phoenix and one each from Cam and Marshfield clubs.

Four players – Frenchay duo Naima Milhofer and Maisie Hunkin plus Bristol Phoenix’s Molly Thomas and Alice Hill - remain from last year, while eight have been selected for the first time.

The “class of 2017” also Cam’s Isabel Carey, Marshfield’s Molly Morris and another Frenchay player, Lily Knox.

The scheme – which is now in its fourth year - offers additional coaching opportunities to girls identified as having the potential to go on to play for Gloucestershire Women or be selected in regional and national squads.

It is part-funded by the Gloucestershire Cricket Trust charity.

This year’s programme includes a larger proportion of younger players with eight aged between 10 and 13 and only four aged between 14 and 17.

The players will train in two separate groups based on their age and experience.

Gloucestershire Cricket Board (GCB) women and girls development officer Lisa Pagett, who heads up the EPP said: “It is important that the programme continues to evolve each year in order to meet the needs of our players and we hope that the new structure will achieve this.

“The shift to a slightly younger group is largely down to the fact that we have identified a growing number of talented players coming though at the lower end of the pathway.

“We feel that by offering them more intensive, specialised coaching at a younger age we will give them the best chance of maximizing their potential.”

The younger group will have the opportunity to take part in seven, two and a half hour sessions while the older girls will come in for five sessions.

The under 13 players will train as a group while the older girls’ programme will consist of a one-to-one session and a structured personal practice hour. The older group’s sessions will be staggered to allow them an opportunity to put their learning into practice between EPP sessions.

Lisa said: “We feel that by providing one-to-one coaching for the four older girls we can offer them a fully individualised programme.

“Spacing these sessions out and providing an opportunity for personal practice puts the onus on the girls to be responsible for their own development. This is something that we feel is hugely important for them at this stage.

“The younger girls’ sessions will not only look to develop their technical and tactical skills but also to improve their athleticism and decision-making. We also want to give them a deeper understanding of the game as a whole.”

Lisa – who is also responsible for the Western Storm Regional Development Centre - will again be assisted by Gloucestershire age group coach Luke Sellers.

In the last two years three players who have come through the EPP - Alice Hill, Danielle Gibson and Natasha Wraith - have played for Gloucestershire Women.

Danielle and Natasha have also received further recognition with Dumbleton allrounder Gibson being selected for the England Women’s Academy and Frenchay wicketkeeper Wraith picked for the Western Storm Regional Development Centre. Natasha is also training with the boys EPP this winter.

The EPP sessions will be held at Gloucester Academy for 12 weeks, starting on January 11.