Graham Gooch is set to invest £90,000 in Essex over the next three years. Gooch has announced that he will sponsor the Essex Cricket Academy, and will write a cheque for £30,000 for the first year, a figure which will then be reviewed.
“With the money raised on my successful World Cup cruise in February I have been looking to support the future of Essex cricket in an enhanced way,” Gooch told the Essex CCC website. “The academy is the first place where future talents are unearthed. I see academy players taking their first step towards professional cricket when they are selected to go on it.
“I see this as being my way of putting something back into the game and of making a difference.”
John Childs, the academy director, said: “This is a tremendous boost to the academy. Graham has already supported the young players in going to Mumbai to the World Cricket Academy and we know his heart is with the future of the Club. This will give the academy players more opportunities in the years to come so we are delighted.”
Essex’s academy began in 2003. Nine of their intake, including Alastair Cook, have so far represented Essex’s first team. Varun Chopra and Tom Westley, who have played England Under-19s, are also academy products.
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