High Performance Camps

Aaron was in the junior section at Stirling County Cricket Club when Brandon McMullen joined us as an overseas amateur player from Futura.. This was the first time we'd heard about Futura Cricket. A few years later and Aaron was finishing High School and close to turning 17 we had the conversation about "what next after school?" I encouraged Aaron to take a break after school before committing to University or work. I told him to pursue his passions if he decided to take time out and he quickly decided to go abroad to focus on his cricket. We chatted to Brandon about it and he advised Futura high performance camps. We emailed just enquiring about options and Paddy replied very quickly and things started to firm up. Paddy wanted to chat to Aaron online to get a feel for his personality and what kind of a player he is, what his goals were etc. That first face to face meeting with Paddy really fired Aaron up and he committed, decision made. He opted for the 3-month high performance camp starting in January 2026. Aaron finished his high school in May 2025 and landed a full-time summer job to save up and pay for the camp in Durban.

As the summer progressed we discussed with Paddy if Aaron could fly out for the 3 months prior to the start of the camp and make the most of his time off. Paddy put together a plan for Aaron involving training, playing with a local club, and putting him through his Level II coaching qualification to coach for Futura. This was now a solid 6 month plan of eat, sleep, breathe cricket.

Dealing with Paddy was a real pleasure. He is so relaxed and accommodating, always willing to answer any queries or uncertainties and very flexible and open-minded to tailoring needs.

Aaron left for Durban early September 2025, the first time travelling alone abroad. His stay was with Paddy in the Futura Cricket apartment right on the beach front of Durban North Beach. What a location with stunning views out over the Indian Ocean from the 18th floor. Aaron received a really welcoming first night from Paddy - out for dinner and drinks.

Rather than go into huge detail here, Aaron basically had a mixture of 1:1 sessions with Paddy and Futura coaches all based at Durban High School where Futura is based. Paddy has been a fantastic mentor to Aaron across everything cricket. His experience, insights and knowledge is world-class and he always spent time talking to Aaron, guiding him.

Aaron was put through a fitness test at the beginning of his stay, was given an intense S&C routine and was put on the Paleo South African diet of meat.

Special touches made Aaron feel really at home there as Paddy arranged test match rugby tickets to see South Africa play on his 18th Birthday. He didn't have to do that and for Aaron turning 18 away from home that is huge kudos to Paddy and Aaron says he'll never forget that day. Paddy also took Aaron away for a long weekend into the bush to see big game animals and experience the South African nightly Braii. Unforgettable.

After a short 2 week Christmas break the high performance camp started. It was very intense but very well structured to allow for rest and recovery as well gym work, 1:1 sessions and Aaron's coaching. There was 1 or 2 others also attending from Zimbabwe and locally so sessions were very focussed and gruelling. Aaron was revelling in it all - he was training very hard and eating really well and it was transforming him as a cricketer.

In March, Futura cricket attended the Gary Kirsten Cricket Festival in Cape Town as a 1 week tour. This was all inclusive and Paddy puts together a team that competes against local provincial teams. It was an amazing week for Aaron albeit a tough cricketing challenge. He loved Cape Town and got to train with Sussex County Cricket pros on pre-season. It was a steep learning curve for Aaron as he'd never been on tour before. There was a 1 week break back in Durban then off to the OMTEX International Cricket Institute in Mumbai for a 15 day tour. 12 games of cricket in brutal heat as well training sessions. 1 day off.......toughest thing Aaron has ever done. His body was a wreck, despite ice baths, recovery pool sessions. Needless to say Aaron arrived home with a body in bits, guts all over the place but buzzing from a truly unforgettable experience.

Final words - if you want to become a tough, hardened cricketer then Futura is for you. Don't go there if you are not laser focussed on committing 100% to disciplined training, fitness and diet. If you are then you will move your cricket to the next levels and benefit from Paddy's vast knowledge, experience and contacts. Paddy is a straight forward bloke. Straight talking no BS.

Paddy mentored Aaron in a very special way and as Aaron's Dad this was so important to me knowing he was watched over.

The only surprisingly disappointing aspect of Aaron's stay was the club cricket in Durban. The club scene in Durban is very different to the UK club scene so please be aware of this.

Aaron has matured in so many ways due to his stay with Futura. His cricket transformation has been unbelievable and despite some uncertainties as to whether it would pay off, we can both now say without any doubt that it has been the best experience.

Thanks to Paddy, his coaching staff and of course Nellie (house keeper)