Oxfordshire Cricket has announced that 17-year-old batting all rounder Aimee Diab has been awarded a place on the Vipers Academy for 2024/25.

Aimee, who has played for Oxfordshire at every age group from Under 11s to Under 18s, follows in the footsteps of Abi Norgrove who was selected on the Vipers Academy in 2021 and represented England Under 19s in 2024. 

Sam Arthurs, pathway manager at Oxfordshire Cricket said: “Aimee has demonstrated her ability with both bat and ball for Oxfordshire over a long period of time having first represented Oxfordshire at the Under 11 age group.

“We are really pleased that Aimee will now be making the transition into the Vipers Academy.

"I am sure that Aimee and her family will be extremely proud of her Academy selection, which provides her with a fantastic opportunity to accelerate her potential toward the Professional game. 

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“Whilst Aimee will continue to represent Oxfordshire, on behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket I wish her the best of luck with the next step in her developmental journey.” 

Ian Cox, senior regional talent manager at the Vipers said: “Having spent two years as part of our Regional EPP Aimee has shown she is now ready to progress. Aimee has worked incredibly hard and shown a real desire to develop and we are very excited to continue that development with the enhanced support Aimee will receive from the Academy programme.”

Aimee said: “I am extremely excited and totally thrilled to have been selected into the Vipers Academy squad, it looks like this is going to be an exciting season.

"Not only am I thankful to have been given the opportunity to compete at such a high level but I am also very much looking forward to the season ahead.”

In addition to Aimee’s academy selection, the club announced that four Oxfordshire players have been selected onto the Vipers Emerging Players Programme (EPP) for 2024/25.

The Vipers EPP looks to influence and improve young players of high potential just below academy level, typically serving select pathway players within the 13 to 18 age bracket.

Three players, Niamh Rogan, Rabiya Dogar and Katie Waugh have been retained from 2023/24 whilst one player, Suri Shah, has been newly selected. 

Sam Arthurs added: “On behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket I would like to congratulate Niamh, Rabiya, Katie and Suri on their selection within the Vipers Emerging Players Programme.

"Everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket looks forward to supporting their development over the months and years ahead.”