With four new additions, the South East Stars Academy intake has grown to 14 players for 2023/24.
After an impressive season in Stars’ Emerging Player Programme (EPP), Hannah Burridge, Daisy Feast, Laxmi Johal, and Maddie Richardson have graduated from the programme and have been added to the Academy squad for this winter and the following summer.
Wicketkeeper-batter Burridge, 16, represented Surrey four times this season and plays her club cricket at North London CC.
Daisy Feast, 17, is an exciting batter who comes from Surrey CCC and produced a match-winning knock in Stars Academy’s last-wicket victory against Central Sparks in the Regional Academy Friendlies, which also brought her the EPP Impact Player of the Year award.
Opening batter Johal, 17, featured regularly for South East Stars Academy and Surrey across competitions this season. She also recently claimed the EPP Stars Value award.
Kent’s Maddie Richardson, 16, is a right-arm pace-bowling allrounder. She plays her club cricket at Canterbury CC and appeared for the Stars Academy twice in 2023.
There have already been opportunities for Academy players such as Jemima Spence and Bethan Miles to make the step up and feature for the Stars’ senior side. 17-year-old seamer Charlotte Lambert, who represents Surrey and is in the Academy, freshly signed her first senior contract with the Stars.
Jennifer Jackson, Senior Regional Talent Manager at South East Stars, said: “After a hugely successful season for the South East Stars Academy, it looks to be a very exciting winter for the newly formed squad.
“Some impressive performances throughout the 2023 winter training programme and summer season have meant that we are welcoming four new players into the squad. It is also great to see academy players demonstrating their skills at a senior level and being awarded for this hard work with senior PAYP contracts.
“This winter will provide the Academy players with the time, opportunity, and input to work towards their individual goals in an environment that encourages exploration and innovation. This is a truly exciting squad of players and I’m looking forward to working with them and supporting them on their journey to become the best cricketers, and people, they can be.”
