Taunton School sees 48 students join county cricket pathways and academies, while alumnus Elle gains England trial

Taunton School is celebrating after 48 students were selected to join county cricket pathways and academies across Somerset, Cornwall, and Devon this season.

Selections span age groups from U10 to U18, with several students earning prestigious academy places:

• Grace (U16) – Devon programme and Somerset Emerging Player Pathway
• Megan (U16) – Somerset Academy and youngest player on the Academy, gaining her place despite currently being injured and through exceptional performances with both girls and boys teams
• Jack, Oscar, Ben C, and Will – Somerset U18 team and Somerset Academy
• Ben S – Somerset U18 team and Cornwall Academy

Adding to this success, 2025 Year 13 leaver Elle Golsworthy gained a trial with the England Women’s U19 squad, following an outstanding performance for Somerset against Glamorgan (scoring a century) and a dominant display against Yorkshire. Elle has since been invited to join the Somerset Academy.

Reflecting on her journey, Elle said: “The coaching at Taunton School has been transformative. The staff helped me understand my strengths and overcome technical and mental challenges, giving me clarity and confidence.

“The all-round cricket programme, the incredible coaching, and the School’s link with Somerset have been vital to my development. I’m grateful for the support that helped me earn an England trial and a Somerset Academy place and the opportunity to finish my schooling somewhere that believed in me.”

Further achievements include Oscar and Charlie gaining their ECB Level 2 coaching qualifications, Ben completing a cricket umpiring course, Maxi proudly representing Hong Kong U19s, and Year 8 Oscar representing England in the Emerging Stars Tournament in India, being named MVP of the tournament.

Pete Sanderson, Director of Cricket, said: “The whole Taunton School cricket department is incredibly proud of every achievement made by our students this season. To have so many join pathways and academies is extremely exciting and a testament to their huge amounts of talent and dedication. Seeing students reach county and even country-level teams is truly exceptional too.”

The 29 Prep School pupils and 19 Senior School students join a growing roster of Taunton School students already on county pathways and academies which strengthens the School’s reputation as a hub for cricketing excellence. Students already on pathways worked hard over the summer to retain their places with additional coaching provided at the School.

County cricket pathways and academies provide talented players with professional coaching and a clear route to county-level cricket. Taunton School alumnus Kian Roberts exemplifies this progression, having signed a professional contract with Somerset County Cricket Club this summer after being an integral part of the Academy team for several years.

Taunton School’s cricket provision is led by an exceptional coaching team with extensive professional experience, including former Somerset Coach Pete Sanderson, former Somerset Women’s Head Coach Dave Roberts, and former Somerset player and current England batting Coach Marcus Trescothick.

Find out more about Taunton School’s cricket provision > https://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/explore/co-curricular/sport/