Aspiring cricketer has record year

Cricketer awarded Nottinghamshire Academy Player of the Year

We are incredibly proud to share that Year 13 student at Loughborough Grammar School and talented cricket player, Joshua, has been awarded Player of the Year by the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club Academy.

Joshua was awarded the prestigious Charles Vernon Price Memorial Plate at Nottinghamshire and The Blaze’s End of Season Awards on Monday following an outstanding season on the pitch, registering over 1,000 runs across all under-18s cricket in 2026. The young cricketer hit three centuries during the summer, with a best of 139 not out – an incredible achievement.

Based at Trent Bridge, the Academy’s elite talent pathway is designed to help aspiring athletes transition into the world of professional cricket. Reflecting on his journey so far, Joshua said: “It is an amazing honour to receive such a prestigious award, and, looking at the past winners, it’s almost surreal to be placed in that category. I’ve been immensely lucky to have been given various opportunities this year – whether that be 2XI cricket or regional representative cricket at the ECB U18 Super 4s Tournament. This experience, alongside receiving the award, has given me insight into what’s required to reach the next level and a sense of confidence I can take into next year.”

Joshua is also part of our Cricket Player Pathway Programme, which aims to provide young players with an insight into the demands of professional sport. Participants benefit from a comprehensive package of support including specialist strength and conditioning sessions, nutrition and athlete lifestyle advice alongside the development of time management and self-discipline skills to maintain sustained academic excellence.

Joshua has gone from strength to strength in his sport over the last year, and to see him awarded the Charles Vernon Price Memorial Plate by the Nottinghamshire Academy is something we’re all very proud of at Loughborough Grammar School. It not only reflects his passion for cricket, but also his dedication to continual improvement in sport, and he is a fantastic role model for other aspiring cricket players here at the School.

Rachel Lewis, Head of PE

In addition to cricket, the Foundation also provides Player Pathway Programmes in football, hockey, netball and rugby that are supported by a dedicated team of sports staff – many of whom are professional athletes themselves in a range of varied and demanding disciplines. Pupils at the Foundation aspiring to professional sporting careers draw inspiration from international sportspeople who know exactly what it’s like to train, perform and excel as athletes; a truly unique and energising experience for them.

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