DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland is today announcing a new strategic partnership with Square One Academy at the University of Brighton, providing emerging Irish cricketers with an exciting opportunity to combine higher education with a world-class high performance cricket environment.
The partnership provides Cricket Ireland with an additional environment for talented players seeking to continue their academic education while developing within a professional high-performance environment.
Square One Academy brings together expert coaching and outstanding facilities, including one of the largest and most technologically advanced indoor centres in the world, along with an integrated athlete support programme, allowing players to maximise both their academic and sporting ambitions. The programme will include regular coaching, performance analysis, strength and conditioning, sports science, psychology and nutrition, all delivered within a purpose-built environment at the University of Brighton’s Falmer campus.
The collaboration complements Cricket Ireland’s existing player pathway by providing another option for emerging players as they progress in their playing careers. There will be the opportunity for up to three nominated male and three nominated female Irish players to enrol per year. It also opens up opportunities for future collaboration in coach development, overseas camps and knowledge sharing between the two organisations.
Another element of the partnership will see Square One Academy and Cricket Ireland aim to create meaningful fixtures in the male and female emerging space.
Pete Johnston, High Performance Coach and Emerging Player Development Lead, said:
“This is about developing cricketers with a focus on personal development in an environment where cricket, education, and athlete development work hand in hand.
“This partnership offers an opportunity for players to pursue a university degree while training within a high-performance programme that will mirror many of the environments found in the professional game.
“Importantly, this strengthens our existing pathway. Our ambition is to provide talented Irish players with the opportunity to develop and gain valuable experiences, all while receiving an education and remaining fully integrated with cricket.
“We’re excited about what this partnership can offer our players and the opportunities it creates for collaboration between the organisations in the years ahead. We acknowledge Square One’s ambition and the calibre of staff they have in this space of athlete and personal development.
“The University of Brighton’s Falmer campus offers a very impressive range of sport, coaching, and sports science degree programmes, supported by state-of-the-art sporting facilities, sports science and exercise laboratories, and excellent transport links. Time is against us for this year, but there may still be opportunities in the UCAS clearing system for some of our athletes to consider, but otherwise we will be looking at enrolment in 2027.”
Rob Ferley, Co-Founder of Square One, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Cricket Ireland to create another clear pathway for talented young players.
“Square One Academy is designed to help players continue their education while training in a high-performance cricket environment every day.
“For emerging Irish cricketers, this partnership provides the opportunity to develop as students, people, and athletes, while remaining connected to Cricket Ireland’s wider performance pathway.
“We are excited about what this can become for players, coaches and both organisations in the years ahead.”
Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor, University of Brighton, said:
“We are delighted that this new partnership between Cricket Ireland and Square One Academy will create opportunities for more talented young cricketers to pursue their sporting ambitions while benefiting from a university education.
“At the University of Brighton, we are committed to helping students flourish academically, professionally and personally. Through our partnership with Square One Academy, student athletes can access outstanding facilities, expert support and a learning environment that enables them to succeed both on and off the field.
“We look forward to welcoming talented players from Ireland to our Falmer campus and supporting them as they develop as students, athletes and future leaders.”
