A TALENTED teenage cricketer who has been selected to attend a prestigious training scheme has been nominated for a Young Champions award.

Alicia Robinson, 14, started playing cricket at Rockingham Colliery Cricket Club when she was just six years old.

When watching Alicia’s 11-year-old cousin play, the opposition were a player short.

When the coach asked for an extra player to make up their team, Alicia eagerly volunteered and hasn’t looked back since.

Impressively, Alicia initially played softball cricket with an all girls’ team in a boys’ league, winning several times.

Aged 11, the Hoyland girl started playing hardball cricket and has played in several local teams.

Alicia has had the privliege of playing for Sheffield MCC’s girls’ under-16s and South Yorkshire’s under-13s and under-15s where she honed her skills.

Whilst playing for Rockingham, Alicia has grown both on and off the field, becoming firm friends with teammate, Zunaira - with the girls playing alongside each other for the past six seasons.

During that time, not only did their skills blossom, but their friendship too.

Recently, both girls were recognised as some of the highest performing players in their hub.

Alicia is set to join Zunaira alongside other top-performing youngsters in MCC Performance’s training nets in the coming weeks.

The girls are set to attend the nets at Headingley with the chance to be selected to play against the Yorkshire squads.

Alicia’s proud grandad, Phil, reflected on her sporting journey.

He said: “Alicia is passionate about cricket and trains four or five times a week.

“Both her and Zunaira have played together at Rockingham for the past five or six seasons, where they met and made friends.

“I’m very proud of Alicia’s achievements.”