THE NEXT generation of Suffolk cricketers have entered the video age.

The year 2012 will see the Suffolk Young Cricketers organisation take a significant step forward in the way that it develops in young players.

All of the county’s lead coaches will benefit from using video analysis in the development of their squads covering all age groups from under-10s through to under-17s.

SYC has invested more than �3,000 in the project, which has been part-funded by a donation from the Suffolk Coaches Association.

Using a ‘web-based’ platform know as ‘Silicon Coach live’, nearly all of the 100 players in the squad were videod over two eight-hour days at Ipswich School earlier this week.

Training on the new system is scheduled for early January 2012, and thus all coaches will be able to analyse the video footage and incorporate key issues from this analysis into their squad winter training programmes which start from the middle of January.

The project is being led by Tom Huggins from the Suffolk Cricket Board and the county’s former cricket development manager Martin Taylor, who now works part time as a freelance cricket coach.

Both are hugely excited about the project which they believe will play an important part in achieving a ‘step change’ in the way the organisation works and the impact it has in the county.

Taylor said: “This is a very exciting project and all should be appreciative of the investment being made in these tough financial times which shows just how committed the Suffolk Cricket Board is to the development of its young players.

“The fact that Suffolk Cricket Board is spending more money on youth development than before is a tribute to the county, especially as larger counties are not investing in their future.

“The power of young players seeing themselves play is huge, and this project will make a big difference to their progress and, just as importantly, enable them to take greater ownership of their own development.”