YOUNG Charlie Sharland, who lives at Wiveliscombe and attends King’s College, Taunton, is developing into a genuine sporting all rounder and looks to have a big future ahead of him.

The youngster, who celebrates his 17th birthday next month, is already making a name for himself in cricketing circles and has been part of the Somerset Academy since last autumn – and now he is set to join the Gallagher Premier League side Bristol Bears RFC Academy.

The top or middle order right-handed batsman, who also bowls, started to play cricket as soon as he could sit up and hold a bat. By the age of five he had started to play cricket at Taunton Deane under the encouraging eye of Russell Jones and at the age of seven he had his first game for the club’s Under-11s.

When he was nine he was playing for the Somerset Under-10s, since when he has continued to feature in the county’s age group teams.

Charlie moved to King’s Hall in Year 6 where along with George Thomas and James Rew, who are both now on the Somerset Academy, he helped them win the English Schools Cricket Association Under-13 competition.

In spring 2019 he went to Sri Lanka with Somerset Under-15s and produced one of the highlights of the tour when he scored a century.

Last summer he helped the South-West win the both the T20 and the 50-over competitions at the Bunbury Under-15 Festival.

After a successful time on the Emerging Player Programme the young all-rounder made his debut for Somerset Second XI against Kent in June 2019.

In the autumn last year he joined the Somerset Academy and when club cricket resumed this summer he scored a century for Taunton Deane First XI against Taunton.

Charlie has also made his mark in rugby, playing at centre or fly-half, and has recently been invited to join Bristol Bears Under-18 Academy. He started going to rugby with his older brother, who played at Wiveliscombe, and soon became the team mascot.

When he moved to King’s Hall he started to play the game competitively. Charlie has also played up through the age groups for Wiveliscombe where Ian, his father, was club chairman for six years, until stepping down recently.

Head of rugby at King’s Ed Lewsey said: “Charlie has gone from strength to strength with his rugby and broke into the school 1st XV last season with great success, despite being in his GCSE year.

“He is a very exciting player with a full house of tricks. He has deft skills, power and a howitzer left boot, along with a superb attitude. We are delighted that his talents have been recognised by Bristol Bears with his call up to their Under-18s Academy.

“Charlie has the ability and opportunity of making it in either rugby or cricket – maybe even both, it’s happened before. It’s our job to help him fulfil his ambitions but also ensure that he does his homework!”

RICHARD WALSH