Millfield cricketer signs for Western Storm Academy​

Millfield cricketer Jess Hazell has been selected as part of Western Storm’s Regional Academy programme for the upcoming 2021 season.

Lower Sixth Jess is one of 14 cricketers who impressed at numerous trials held at prestigious cricket venues across the South West and Wales. The academy will provide high-level coaching, equipment and access to the club’s doctor, physio and strength and conditioning coach, to aid the young cricketers in their sporting endeavours. The cricketers will experience coaching at industry-leading venues in the South including County Grounds Taunton, Bristol Cricket Club and Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

The former Millfield Prep School pupil, who joined in Year 3, enjoyed cricket as an alternative sport to rounders and has been an active member of Somerset County Cricket’s pathway since being selected for Somerset Cricket’s Winter Squad training, aged 11. Now sixteen-year-old Jess will benefit from the new Women’s Elite Domestic Structure for cricket which aims to develop the most talented female players for sustained international success and drive the performance of England women’s cricket.

Batswoman and wicket keeper Jess is studying A levels in Biology, Chemistry and PE, as well as an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) relating to the mental health impacts of professional cricket. She aspires to study medicine at university alongside maintaining her cricket.

Jess believes Millfield had a heavy influence on her selection with Western Storm. She says, “The coaches have really pushed me on and encouraged my exposure to more and more challenges, for example playing with boys’ teams, studying for a cricket related Extended Project Qualification and then outside school at Clevedon Cricket Club. The facilities at Millfield are also superb.”

Director of Cricket Mark Garaway has been actively involved in Jess’ cricket campaign. He says, “This selection into the Western Storm Academy will provide Jess with lots of confidence and we look forward to working with the coaching staff at the Western Storm to support Jess in the best way possible. It’s going to be fascinating to see the speed of Jess’s development with increased cricket contact time with both the Academy and also within the Millfield Cricket Programme.”

Millfield has recently launched a state of the art indoor Golf and Cricket Centres on campus. The new facility enables the sport to practise all year round and at all times of day, to increase the already 370 strong programme (including 80 girls). The Centre features new PitchVision technology on three lanes, a state of the art 4G fielding area, three adaptable bowling and batting surfaces, as well as five nets and an expansive 22 metre run-up which has already been used by professionals from Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.