Sussex coach Peter Moores has told the first intake to the Sussex Academy: "It's a great opportunity, please make the most of it."

Moores hopes the new set-up can help produce a homegrown first team.

He said: "I've already spoken with all 12 of the first intake to give them an idea of what we expect from them, which is to give their best all the time.

"We've got individual-based programmes to help them develop but they must work at it.

"The group come across as level headed and I think will apply themselves. We'll be watching their progress and I'll be liaising with Keith (Greenfield, the Academy Director).

"It would be great to produce a first team from the county because then you get inbuilt loyalty. To buy in players can be difficult."

Moores, a former Sussex wicketkeeper, will help coach Academy 'keepers, Marc Gardner, Richard Young and Andrew Hodd.

He said: "We've got a good line in keepers at the moment. Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose are only teenagers but are with the first team. A keeper's development can be ignored but not at Sussex.

"They've had lots of special help with Nick Wilton, Shaun Humphries and myself. We attempt to break wicketkeeping down into areas, like catches high to the right, low to the left and when you should stand up to a delivery.

"We also encourage their batting because the more versatile you can be the better it is.

"Andrew Hodd for instance has come on very well this year with the bat and scored hundreds.

"The youth set-up is vital to us. We have set up a base for all county youth cricket in Blackstone Lane at Woodmancote. We're cracking on."

The inclusion of Kate Oakenfold and Rosalie Birch shows the county are not paying lip service to the women's game.

Moores said: "We'd love Kate and Rosalie to go on, like England captain Clare Connor who is from Sussex, and play for their country."

Does Moores see a female making it in the men's game one day?

"I think the men's and women's game are likely to stay separate for physical reasons, although a female batsperson or spin bowler might come through because the demands are less physical in those roles."

Moore says there will be a sense of perspective as the county's 12 new cricket academics begin their programmes this week.

"The Academy will fit into their lives. They've got their education and other interests to consider."