GLOUCESTERSHIRE CCC players will help support the next generation of county cricketers following the launch of a new mentoring programme.

Two ‘Age Group Ambassadors’ have been allocated to each county junior squad to offer encouragement and advice during the 2014 season.

In total, 20 players are taking part including former New Zealand international Hamish Marshall, who will work with the U11 boys, and ex-captain Alex Gidman, who has been assigned to the girls' U13 team.

Over the course of the season the players will send regular email and video messages to their squads. They will also attend matches when their own fixtures allow.

Junior players from 38 Gloucestershire-affiliated clubs have been selected for this year’s summer boys’ county age groups.

Cirencester have seven players in the squads – second only to Thornbury – including three from the same family – twins Kit and Louis Staley are both in the U11s while big brother Ludo is in the U12s.

GCB Age Group Ambassadors 2014.

Boys: U10 – Hamish Marshall & Chris Dent; U11 – Dan Housego & Matt Taylor; U12 – Cameron Herring & Graeme McCarter; U13 – Liam Norwell & Gareth Roderick; U14 – Benny Howell & Tom Smith; U15 – Ian Cockbain & Craig Miles; U16 – Ian Saxelby; U17 – Will Gidman.

Girls: U13 – Alex Gidman & Tom Shrewsbury; U15 – Jack Taylor & Will Tavaré; U17 – David Payne. Senior Women – James Fuller.