Beth MacGregor will be part of the Women’s Young Cricketers programme

Former Chigwell schoolgirl Beth MacGregor has been selected as part of the expanded Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Women’s Young Cricketers programme.

Fourteen players have been chosen for the 2012 intake, with 18-year-old MacGregor, who recently broke into the senior England women’s one day side, offered one of six part-time places. All members will receive financial assistance to allow them to train and play throughout the season.

The Essex County player will have the chance of improving her game in various aspects of the sport, which include technical, tactical, psychological and physical development.

Away from the cricket field, the MCC Women’s Young Cricketers programme will simultaneously develop the non-sporting skills of its participants through work experience placements within various departments across MCC on major match days, in addition to working closely with the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

The programme will be directed by England Women’s head coach, Mark Lane, with input from MCC head coach and former England international Mark Alleyne and former Australian Women’s captain and England Women’s Academy head coach, Lisa Keightley.

MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson, said: “Congratulations to Beth for being selected as part of the 2012 MCC Women’s Young Cricketers programme.

“I hope that this opportunity will present her with the ideal structure to concentrate on her game in the best cricket environment in the world.”