Rajasthan Royals launch new cricket academy in Jaipur

The inaugural champions had announced their plans to come up with an Academy in Jaipur in October 2023, and on Saturday inaugurated the facility. The newly set-up Academy boasts impressive infrastructure with the presence of two match playing grounds and 15 training strips with Natural Turf, AstroTurf, Matting, and Kota stone wickets. The facility also has a residential setup that can accommodate up to 30 players, proving to serve as a convenient set-up for the young players to focus on training.

The inauguration event saw the presence of Rajasthan Royals' fiery pacer Nandre Burger, Rajasthan Royals' Chief Executive Officer Jake Lush McCrum, and Rajasthan Royals' Support Coach and Head of Academy Coaching Siddhartha Lahiri, who was also seen conducting an in-service training session with the highly qualified coaches of the academy. Former Royals' player and member of the 2008 IPL-winning squad Pankaj Singh, Alka Singh (Founder and Director of PS Sports), Rahul Kawat (Chairman of the Senior Selection Committee and Ex-Ranji Captain), and Aniket Choudhary (Rajasthan Vice Captain) were also among the guests present at the inauguration ceremony.

The franchise also announced a T20-focused 2-week Masterclass Cricket Camp for young kids who have enrolled for the Academy, which starts on Tuesday,April 23, and will include a masterclass from Siddhartha Lahiri as well as a skill feedback session from Royals' Assistant Coaches Trevor Penny and Shane Bond on the 24th of April.

The RRA Jaipur aims to inculcate the Royals' philosophy of coaching through masterclasses and coach's in-service training sessions, equipping the coaches at the academy with the right knowledge and skill set to produce the next generation of cricketing talent that can represent both the Rajasthan state and India in the future. The Academy will provide a comprehensive coaching curriculum that encompasses structured coaching methods and facilities to aspiring male and female cricketers of all age groups. As is the case with all other academies affiliated with the Royals, young cricketers enrolled at the RRA Jaipur will have the opportunity to take part in RRA-organised tournaments around the world, get feedback from the Royals' expert coaches through masterclasses and camps, and visit the franchise's High-Performance Center in Nagpur (India).

Over the years, the franchise has demonstrated a strong commitment to grassroots cricket development in the state of Rajasthan, having initiated various programs and tournaments aimed at promoting the sport and unearthing talent. These initiatives include the Royal Sparks and Colts Program, which was a comprehensive talent scouting program designed to identify and nurture young cricketers across Rajasthan and provide aspiring players with access to expert coaching and top-notch year-round support. The Rajasthan Royals Cricket Cup has also been played across both genders and various age groups in the state, with the latest edition being played by more than 700 U19 girls hailing from 50+ schools spread across eight districts in September-October 2023. The Royals have also actively engaged with local talent through the biggest cricket reality show Cricket Ka Ticket - the winner of which Aditi Chauhan also hailed from Rajasthan. The franchise has also helped their partner Red Bull emphasize on unearthing young pacers from Rajasthan through the Red Bull Speedster program. Several other players and net bowlers have been recruited in the past for the IPL, enabling the fast-tracking of their development through trials and coaching camps, to empower them to fulfil their dreams of consequently representing not just the Royals, but also their state team and the nation.

Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer of Rajasthan Royals, expressed his excitement on the inauguration, "The launch of our first academy in Rajasthan is a significant step for us as we look to further support the development of grassroots cricket in the state. Rajasthan has produced many quality cricketers who have represented the country, and we want to expand this pool of talent by providing young gifted players with the best guidance and facilities to enhance their skills. With the launch of this academy and our continuing broader grassroots initiatives, we hope to see many more players from Rajasthan playing in the IPL and in the Indian team in the years to come."

Siddhartha Lahiri, the Head of Academy Coaching at the Royals, added, "This is just another step in our journey of identifying talent at the grassroots level and providing them with the right guidance and expertise. Jaipur, being the home of the Royals, has such a rich legacy when it comes to cricket, and we are very thrilled to welcome the young and talented individuals who will have the opportunity to develop their skill set further."

Former Royals player Pankaj Singh also commented on the occasion, "It's a fantastic initiative by the Royals to develop the grassroots ecosystem in Rajasthan. We have seen over the years that the franchise has focused on giving young talent an opportunity to play at the highest level, and with their coaching philosophy, we are confident that the Rajasthan Royals Academy Jaipur will serve as a platform for young cricketers in Jaipur and neighbouring areas to hone their skills and achieve their true potential."(ANI)