IAN Dews has revealed that a major part of the continued success of Yorkshire's Academy is ensuring that as many current and former players as possible are on hand to pass on their knowledge.

There has arguably been more focus on the White Rose's much-envied Academy set-up this year than ever before.

Not only have a number of their graduates, such as Adam Lyth and Adil Rashid, played for full England teams – but the likes of Will Rhodes and Matthew Fisher have played regular county cricket.

You can also look further down the chain at the number of Academy graduates in the England age-group squads. Mosun Hussain and Jared Warner toured Australia with the under-19s through April, for example.

"You can have as many level three or level four coaches as you want, but to get professionals in is invaluable," said Dews, Yorkshire's second XI and Academy director and former York CC captain.

"We have also had six or seven Academy players coaching this winter on Academy sessions and for those just below Academy.

"We also get a lot of the senior lads doing sessions so that the youngsters get professional experience. Ryan Sidebottom's done sessions, Rich Pyrah, Galey (Andrew Gale), Hoddy (Andrew Hodd) has worked with the keepers. That, you can't buy.

"Michael Vaughan came to six out of probably ten sessions during the winter. He was talking to them about 'if I were captain, I'd set this field to you'. Geoff Boycott has been in and coached as well.

"I can't give them that; neither can other level three or four coaches.

"If Adil Rashid hadn't been away as much this winter, I'd have had him in working with our leggies, even if just for a couple of sessions. They watch him and are inspired by him. It's brilliant and it pays off down the line.

"You speak to some other Academy directors and their teams aren't really linked to the professional staff."

Another reason for the Academy's success is a drive to improve its quality year upon year.

Dews sat down with Academy head coach Richard Damms early in the summer to assess the winter programme and they will do the same in August with regards to the summer schedule.

"When I first started at the Academy, we trained on a Wednesday," said Dews. "Now it's Monday, Wednesday, Saturday – and we are going to take that to Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday during the winters.

"We are not saying parents have to bring their kids in four times a week, but the sessions are there if they want them.

"We can't stand still because if we do, others will copy and catch us up. We have to take it to the next level."