Moree brothers Jack and Ed Montgomery are continuing their cricketing success after both being named in the Cricket NSW Country Academy squads for 2019.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
18 of the best cricketers aged 13 to 19 from across the Northern Inland and Hunter Valley regions have been selected as part of the Central Northern zone.
Jack and Ed will now attend a series of weekend camps in Tamworth over the next few months, attending every three or four weeks and honing their skills as they prepare for next summer's cricket season.
It's Ed's first time at the academy and he is looking forward to the opportunity, as long as it doesn't interrupt his other sports.
"Hopefully I don't miss out on too much footy doing it," he said.
The academies bring specialist coaches in for both batsmen and bowlers and will also film each player's technique so they can continue to improve.
The players are put through a two kilometre time trial and assist in managing both your physical and mental health.
READ ALSO:
Jack and Ed's father Cr Mike Montgomery said the academies provide invaluable experience for all young players involved.
"One thing that has impressed me with the boys over the years is they tell you life's more about living than about expectations for representation," he said.
"So the older you get, you should organise your cricket or whatever sport you're playing around what you want in life, because you're only a knee injury away from the end of your career.
"They don't dampen your expectations, but they have this realistic approach to what you can expect."
Montgomery said the academies warn fast bowlers at these camps that they will face an injury at some point in their career.
"They're all about managing your body and managing your mental health and managing your life. It's more than just teaching you to play cricket," he said.
Montgomery said it's a great opportunity for country players to get the coaching that city players get on a regular basis.
"It's a long way to summer, it's just another one of those things," he said.
"They're helping the kids be competitive even though they're not down at the nets with NSW coaches every weekend like the city kids get."
The academies will commence in June and will run until late September.