Taunton School has been named in the top 100 schools for cricket, with it being only one of six in the country to feature its Prep and Senior School teams.
The Cricketer magazine judged more than 350 entries against an extensive set of criteria, with all the chosen schools having outstanding facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.
Just this year, Taunton School has seen its Under 11 team reach the national finals, after an unbeaten journey through the County and Regional Finals. The Under 12 and Under 13 teams also both got through to the county finals. Across the Prep and Senior School, there are no less than 20 sides, including boys and girls, which can play at any one time.
The partnership with women’s cricket team Western Storm is in its third year and support of local club Taunton Deane also continues. Coaching links with Somerset County Cricket Club remains strong. This summer, 13 boys and girls from Taunton School made County selection. Former England player Marcus Trescothick also has an active role at Taunton School as the Head of Cricket Development.
Pete Sanderson, Director of Cricket at Taunton School and former Somerset County Cricket coach, said: “Of all of the achievements I’ve had the privilege to be part of during my career, getting recognition for both our Senior and Prep Schools in The Cricketer Good Schools Guide is a very proud moment for me.
“This recognition sums up the direction that cricket is taking here at Taunton School. We are going from strength to strength and with my colleagues Marcus and Shaun Winsor (Prep School), it is a great time to be involved in school cricket.”
Simon Hughes, editor of The Cricketer magazine, commented: “This is a superb publication that serves both as an informative guide and as a tribute to all those teachers and coaches out there who are nurturing the talents of future club, county and international cricketers. I have been lucky enough to visit a number of school matches this summer, and am pleased to note that the standard of cricket, coaching facilities and enthusiasm for the game has been as high as I can recall.
“The competition to be included was fierce and plans are already in place to provide more in-depth coverage of schools’ cricket next summer.
“Congratulations to all of the schools included and please keep up the good work.”