DUBLIN – After 21 years having first represented Ireland, and 16 years as a professional county cricketer, Ed Joyce retired in Maythis year. As a legacy to his commitment to the game in Ireland over this period, Ed has established the Ed Joyce Scholarship Programme (EJSP) for young players to develop their skills overseas in the winter, as he did early in his career.
The scholarship fund will allow 1-2 players annually to develop their skills and knowledge of the game overseas in a different culture and climate, through excellent coaching.
Ed Joyce said:
“This scholarship aims to help talented Irish players who have aspirations to play for Ireland. Hopefully it will help develop their game and their character overseas where they will be linked with a club. In that environment they will train, practice and play during a period or the whole of the winter.”
“We hope the programme will make a real difference to the individuals involved, and will be guided by a tailored Individual Performance Plan which will be agreed with the EJSP selection committee.”
“The preferred programme for players will be between 3 and 6 months, with players reporting to the EJSP selection committee on a monthly basis on their progress.”
“One of the challenges Irish cricket faces now is that we can no longer use English county cricket as a finishing school for our youngsters. We need to produce our own cricketers through our domestic structure and programmes like this one will support that development work.”
Applications are now being accepted, with criteria outlined here: http://www.cricketireland.ie/about/scholarship-programmes
Closing date for applications is 9 September 2018, after which the inaugural applicant(s) will be announced following an assessment and selection process.