Dateline:	5th March 2018
	Source:	Desert Springs Resort
	Subject:	Cricket at Desert Springs
	Title:	ECB Pace Programme complete successful 5-Day training camp at Desert Springs Resort

Six (6) members of the ECB Pace Programme, accompanied by four (4) Management, staff and coaches are now back in England having completed a second successful 5-day training camp between Tuesday 27^th February – Saturday 03^rd March at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Ground & Academy.

Kevin Shine, National Lead Pace Bowling Coach remarked of Desert Springs Resort and the training camp;

“This was our second visit during our winter training programme and it was the perfect finish to our camps. The facilities are superb and the staff made us feel so welcome. Thank you so much.”

After their return from South Africa, the focus of the training camp was to provide an opportunity for the players to both work seriously on their batting, bowling & fielding skills as well as their fitness levels, through a specific strength and conditioning programme, to ensure that the players are in the best possible shape during their winter programme.

A varied programme of grass net practice, both bowling and batting took place at the Cricket Academy. Throw-downs, strength and conditioning work, running, speed and agility work were undertaken at both the Cricket Ground and Gym at the Sierras Sports Club.

Ben Langley, National Lead Physiotherapist remarked;

“Another great visit. Everything that is required for a successful training camp is delivered at Desert Springs.”

A few of the players views of their experience at Desert Springs Resort during the training camp were;

Reece Topley; “A great trip made better by great service.”

Zak Chappell; “Desert Springs Resort is a lovely place with great facilities and beautiful views.”

George Scrimshaw; “This is a great place for a training camp, we had a lovely apartment, and wonderful food!”

Jamie Overton; “Thanks to all staff for another fantastic visit.”

Tom Barber; “Desert Springs is a great place. We were all extremely well looked after.

Excellent facilities and food. Thank you.”

To view the video of the Desert Springs Cricket Ground & Academy Click Here

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately-owned Apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players at the award-winning ‘El Torrente’ Restaurant.

For further information:

Kirk Lovell
+34 647 414 899
kl@almanzora.com

	Dateline:	10th January 2018
	Source:	Desert Springs Resort
	Subject:	Cricket at Desert Springs
	Title:	ECB Pace Programme complete successful 5-Day training camp at Desert Springs Resort

Eight (8) members of the ECB Pace Programme, accompanied by four (4) Management, staff and coaches are now back in England having completed a successful 5-day training camp between Saturday 9^th – Thursday 14^th December at Desert Springs Resort, Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course with its very own dedicated Cricket Ground & Academy.

Kevin Shine, National Lead Pace Bowling Coach remarked of Desert Springs Resort and the training camp;

“This was my first visit to Desert Springs and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect as the Resort is so well known for golf. However, the ECB Pace Programme has just enjoyed one of its most productive weeks so far. The facilities and staff are simply excellent and we couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome. Many thanks to all at Desert Springs, we will most definitely be back!”

The focus of the training camp was to provide an opportunity for the players to both work seriously on their batting, bowling & fielding skills as well as their fitness levels, through a specific strength and conditioning programme, to ensure that the players are in the best possible shape during their winter programme which includes warm-weather training in South Africa early next year at the High-Performance Institute for Sport at North West University’s Potchefstroom campus. After their return from South Africa, The Pace Programme will be returning to Desert Springs Resort once again from February 27th – March 3^rd, 2018.

Rob Ahmun, National Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach remarked;

“Many thanks for a fantastic week. The gym facilities have now been taken to a new level, absolutely perfect for an elite training camp.

Ben Langley, National Lead Physiotherapist commented.

“I can’t think of a better place to come for a week of intensive training. Comfortable accommodation, quality food and great facilities. The service levels at Desert Springs certainly ensure that your experience meets your expectations.”

A few of the players views of their experience at Desert Springs Resort during the training camp were;

Jamie Overton, “Cricket at Desert Springs just gets better and better, really looking forward to seeing the new Oval completed. Thank you for another great visit.”

Jamie Porter, “So good to be training outside in December! The weather was fantastic and the Resort was perfect for everything we required, many thanks to everyone at Desert Springs.”

Reece Topley, “Thank you to all of the staff for looking after us so well. Gorgeous warm weather and great facilities.”

Toby Roland-Jones, “What a beautiful resort with excellent facilities.”

To view the video of the Desert Springs Cricket Academy Click Here

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the privately-owned Apartments normally reserved for holidays and short breaks at Desert Springs and the resort’s executive chef was on hand to cater for the special dietary requirements of individual players at the award-winning ‘El Torrente’ Restaurant.

For further Information contact:

Kirk Lovell
Tel. +34 647 414 899
E-mail: kl@almanzora.com

The players and coaches were accommodated in some of the private apartments at Desert Springs, which are normally rented for holidays and getaways. The resort's executive chef catered to the specific dietary needs of individual players at the award-winning El Torrente Restaurant.

For information of Cricket, Golf, and Sports Training Camps, Corporate Events, and Conferences at Desert Springs, call +34 950 091 531 or visit our website desertspringsresort.es.

Additional Information

Winter Pre-Seasons at Desert Springs

Desert Springs, Europe's only Family Resort with an International Award Winning championship desert golf course is already recognised as a specialist family holiday resort. However, it is rapidly gaining popularity as a warm weather training centre for cricketers, athletes, footballers as well as golfers and is proving to be one of the most popular destinations for warm weather training camps.

All sports camps at Desert Springs are tailor-made. The program can include time outside the resort to visit local towns and get a taste of the 'real Spain.'

During their stay, guests can also swim, play tennis, use the gym, the jogging track, play paddle tennis, and beach volleyball.

Getting to Desert Springs is easy from the UK, thanks to three international airports. These are: Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes drive; Murcia Airport, 80 minutes drive; and Alicante Airport which is less than two hours drive. Airlines flying continuously to the region from the UK include British Airways, Easyjet, Monarch, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.

Accommodation is provided in apartments, townhouses and private villas normally used for holidays and getaways at Desert Springs Resort. Meals will be served in the Crocodile Club Restaurant, part of the Crocodile Club which includes leisure activities, and the award winning El Torrente Restaurant in the Clubhouse.

Desert Springs Resort and Golf Club

Facilities available at Desert Springs include:

• The 18-hole USGA Indiana Course, par 72, designed by former UK and Ireland team captain Peter McEvoy, inspired by desert courses in Arizona and California.
• A Golf Academy with PGA teaching professionals offering services to various international teams, the Golf Union of Wales national teams, and many other county teams in England; PGA European Tour, PGA EuroPro Tour, and LET professionals.
• Two tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, and two football fields – one is a full-size international grass field; the other is designed for five-a-side games.
• A cricket ground with eighteen (18) wickets, built to ECB specifications and standards, ready for play in February 2018, and open year-round.
• A Cricket Academy with facilities including a cricket ground with twenty-four (24) nets, a cricket ground with nets with 1 artificial grass wicket, a full-length grass cricket field, a professional ball-feeding machine, a slip-catching platform, and a specific hard-standing area, providing outdoor space for facilities such as a gym with weights, stretching mats, and a medical area.
• A colonial-style golf clubhouse with a lounge, bar, restaurant, changing rooms, TV and reading room, as well as a Ralph Lauren boutique.
• The Crocodile Club which provides family fun at the heart of the Resort with swimming pools, equipped sand play areas, John Deere electric car circuit and a games room, as well as a Jacuzzi, sun loungers and a pool bar.
• A Spa and health and fitness club.

Awards

Desert Springs was awarded the Best Golf Resort in Europe for Groups in 2016 by the European Group Travel Awards (EGTA). The Indiana Course at Desert Springs was also recognized as the 6th best course in Spain based on ratings from those who rated the course on the Leading Courses website. Desert Springs ranked 6th out of 345 courses with an average rating of 8.8/10, earning the Outstanding recognition, given only to the top 10 courses in the country.

Desert Springs won the "Daily Mail Best Almeria" Award and the Bentley International Real Estate Awards for Best Promotion and Architecture in Spain. It was awarded the Spanish Green Wood Award for Environmentally Sensitive Development and the SICTED distinction for "Commitment to Quality in Tourism."

El Torrente Restaurant received the international gastronomic award Nuevo Milenio from the Tourism, Hotel, and Catering industry. This award was created by the Trade Leaders Club to distinguish companies from all countries for the exceptional quality of their products or services.

Climate in the Almanzora coastal region

The name Desert Springs comes from the desert-like microclimate of the region, which is unique in Europe. It has the warmest winter on the continent with an average of over nine hours of daily sunlight and daily maximum temperatures between 16°C and 30°C throughout the year. The annual precipitation is less than 200 mm. The waters off the Almanzora coast are among the cleanest and warmest in Europe, attracting both fishing and scuba diving enthusiasts.

For more information:

Note: High Resolution images available on request.

Simon Coaker
The Almanzora Group Ltd
The Manor, Boddington, Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire GL51 0TJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 680116
e: scc@almanzora.com
www.desertspringsresort.es