Bermuda Cricket Board youth academy players Jermal Proctor and Rose Simmons have been granted scholarships to attend two prestigious boarding schools in England.

The BCB negotiated scholarships for Proctor to attend prep school Maidwell Hall in Northamptonshire and Rose to attend Felsted School in Essex, with the pair to start studies in January.

Proctor, 12, is a former winner of the Hiscox skills and drills challenge and has been a regular in the BCB’s youth academy, while Rose, 13, has been among the standouts in the BCB girls’ development programme for several years.

“I’m very excited that the BCB has opened the door for two very talented young cricketers to study in the UK and have the ability to fast-track their game in the English County set-up,” Lloyd Fray, the BCB president, said.

“Both players have proven themselves to be model young citizens on and off the field as they have progressed through the BCB Development pathway.

“I congratulate Rose and Jermal on this wonderful achievement and opportunity and encourage them to grasp it with both hands to further enhance the growing reputation for our young academy players that have flourished in UK.

“Maybe in four or five years’ time they will be the next Delray Rawlins or LeiLanni Nesbeth. I also thank our CEO [Neil Speight] for his relentless pursuit of development opportunities for our young players.”

As a student at Maidwell Hall, Proctor will have access to the Leicestershire County Age Group programme to further develop his skills.

“We first and foremost would like to give thanks and praise to God for opening up the door of opportunity for Jermal to pursue his dreams,” said Satinah Proctor, speaking on behalf of the family.

“Jermal has worked hard and relentlessly at his dream of becoming a professional cricketer and we are pleased he has been afforded the chance to see this dream become a reality.

“Additionally, we all thank the BCB for this early Christmas present, especially Neil Speight who has worked hard to ensure that Jermal’s academic success is a priority in this move.

“We would also like to thank Clay Smith who saw potential in him from the beginning and all of the coaches who have worked with Jermal over the past few years and contributed to his development.”

Simmons will further her cricket development at Felsted School under Jason Gallian, the former England, Essex, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire batsman.

“Rose has been enjoying cricket for many years with the various BCB programs including the Under-8, Under-11, all-girls cricket and the Hiscox Celebrity matches that she has played in,” Simmons’s mother, Yasala, said.

“I know that Neil and Kellie have been working with Sophy Aitken of Felsted for almost two years to make this happen and we cannot thank the BCB enough for creating this incredible opportunity for Rose.”