One important area of change in the KNCB’s activities received less attention than it deserved at last week’s general meeting of the Bond, due apparently to the pressure of time: changes to the Dutch Lions programme which were to have been unveiled by Director of Cricket Roland Lefebvre.

Lefebvre has been working with CEO Richard Cox and the newly re-established Youth Committee to review and reshape the programme, and the first signs of change will already be evident in the international youth schedule in the coming season.

The review has drawn attention to the disadvantages of basing youth selection on squads established as early as the autumn, given the differing pace of development of individual players. There is also a perception, the review acknowledges, that the junior squads are a closed shop, and too many players are content to rest on their laurels, knowing that they face no challenge for their places.

Lefebvre will therefore be holding a second round of trials from now on, taking place in April and May, the number of practice matches will be increased, and there will be more emphasis on individual sessions in the training programmes.

The fixture list for the 2010 season will also be a good deal more intensive than in the past, with internal warm-up games before the traditional tours to England by the Under-12 and Under-13 teams, and two matches for the Under-15 squad against Belgium’s Under-17s in advance of the European Championships in August. It was already known that the Under-17s would be playing one-day series against Scotland and Ireland instead of the traditional European tournament, but current plans also include two-day matches against the Under-18 squad and against Denmark, the latter being paired with a one-day game.

The Under-18 squad, aiming to repeat last year’s qualification by the then Under-19s for the World Cup qualifier, will face the most demanding schedule of all, with no fewer than 13 training sessions. They will also represent The Netherlands in the Continental Twenty20 tournament in late June, taking over this role from the A side.

They, too, will play two one-day matches against Belgian opposition, in their case taking on the Under-19 side from their southern neighbours in advance of the European Championship cum World Cup qualifier in Belfast in August.

It is, overall, a much more ambitious programme than the Dutch Lions have had in the past, and Lefebvre and his fellow coaches will be determined to ensure that the more intensive approach is reflected in the teams’ results against European opposition.

‘The new Youth Committee recognizes that the only way our best youngsters will move forward is to train hard and play plenty of matches against strong opponents in all formats of the game,’ Lefebvre said on Monday.

‘We have to get our players out of their comfort zones. Healthy competition is part of a normal development process and should drive players forward.
Lefebvre acknowledges that there may be times when the programmes will clash with other events or with holiday commitments, but declares: ‘We don't want to be playing second fiddle in the orchestra.

‘The committee is adamant about not letting cricket be pushed to the side. We will try and organize fixtures throughout the summer and create an environment where players can push their game forward.’