Romano follows in the footsteps of cricketing greats

Congratulations to Romano Franco (L6WER) who picked up a prestigious cricketing award over the half-term holiday. 

Romano, who plays for Hawarden Park CC and Cricket Wales North U19s and has recently secured a place on the Glamorgan Academy, is no stranger to cricketing success. He has won the Welsh Cup twice with his U13 and U15 teams and his talent for spin bowling saw him selected for Wales U16s, along with his twin brother Fabio and fellow King’s student Adam de Rycke, this summer. 

In his first season bowling spin, he was the second-best performer in the overall ECB U16 rankings, and was the third highest wicket-taker in all Wales age groups. 

Romano has now been nationally recognised for his cricketing talent by The Cricket Society as they awarded him the 2023 Sir Jack Hobbs Silver Jubilee Memorial Prize.

Awarded annually to the year’s most outstanding U16 schoolboy cricketer in England and Wales, the prize is nominated by the General Secretary of the English Schools Cricket Association. Previous recipients include cricketing greats Michael Atherton and Mark Ramprakash, placing Romano in impressive company.

Romano enjoyed an afternoon at The Oval for the awards ceremony. 

He said: “I had an amazing day at The Oval and met several high profile people including ex-England cricketer Sir Micky Stewart.

This award, and the news that I have been given a place on the Glamorgan Cricket Academy, have ended a brilliant season on a high. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the 2024 season brings.”

Romano and his twin brother, Fabio, joined King’s in September for Sixth Form and we are looking forward to seeing them both play for the school when the cricket season starts in the summer.