University of Exeter Sport welcomed Somerset County Cricket for a day of fitness testing in the covered courts, PTF (Performance Training Facility) and ADC (Athlete Development Centre).
Players from both the men’s and women’s squads did sprints, jumps and isometric testing using VALD equipment , as part of their winter testing programme, with a return planned in the new year for follow up testing. Testing was facilitated by Somerset staff, University of Exeter S&C coaches and current S&C placement students. Majority of our placement students are taking the Exercise and Sport Sciences employability module which includes a requirement for 40 hours placement experience, which they gain across the academic year by supporting delivery to our University of Exeter performance squads.
University of Exeter Lead S&C coach Oli Whitton commented “It was great to have Somerset join us for their winter testing at the Sports Park. The day provided our S&C placement students with valuable experience of testing protocols and also an opportunity to work with professional athletes which was really exciting”
As part of the University’s ongoing relationship with Somerset County Cricket, in recent years we have also had performance analysis placement students supporting across both the University BUCS cricket programme and during the outdoor season for Somerset. This has included Somerset providing training opportunities using cricket specific software and professional cricket match day experience.
It was also great to see current University of Exeter student Jess Hazell testing as part of the women’s squad having been offered a full contract for the 2026 season, following a rookie contract last year. Jess represented the side in both the Metro Bank One Day Cup and Vitality Blast over the summer. Similarly alumna Rebecca Odgers who was a regular for Somerset last season and also joined the Oval Invincibles for The Hundred as a vitality wild card pick. Both Jess and Bex have previously represented the University Women’s Cricket 1st team in BUCS, who have won indoor BUCS Championship Gold for the past two seasons and also reached the 2025 BUCS Outdoor Championship final held at Wormsley Cricket Ground.
For more information about the University of Exeter’s performance cricket programme please visit our website