Callum Smith, Blake McCarten, and Archie Wearne were all named off the back of impressive seasons in 2019/20.

While Callum and Blake were named in the squad last season, it is Archie's first year in the academy, but his selection didn't come as a surprise to local coach Garry Mortimer.

"[A spot in the academy] means he's considered to be one of the stronger contenders for honours in the zone," Mortimer said.

"[I'm not at all surprised], he's good at what he does, and he's single-minded enough to make a go of it."

Archie took 28 wickets from 13 matches for Hibo Green last season with his legspin, at an average of 13.

Meanwhile, both Callum and Blake played for Queanbeyan in 2019/20. The former took 19 wickets at 22 from 14 matches in second grade, while the latter played five matches in first grade and 10 in second grade for 314 runs at 21.

Mortimer said the academy has already had a visible impact on the two returning players, and hopes it will similarly boost Archie's self-belief.

"I'd just like to see more and more self belief from Archie," Mortimer said.

"If he doesn't think he's good enough, then he isn't. I'd just like him to build on his self belief to know he can play at that level.

"90 per cent of coaching is in the player's head ... I don't think Archie lacks self belief, they'll just hone it."

Mortimer is thrilled to see three local players make their way through the development system, but he was particularly pleased that selectors were eager to work with young legspinners like Archie.

"Legspinners are attacking bowlers, they're not defensive bowlers," he said. "They're there to take wickets, and in the process they'll get hit.

We miss a lot of young legspinners, because a lot of coaches don't seem to be able to work out that 4-50 off five overs is just as good as 4-50 off 25 overs.

"With somebody who's a wrist spinner, they're going to get belted when they're developing, and even when they're established from time to time."

Thanks to the new ACT Southern Districts Zone, which was established in 2018 and of which Goulburn is a part, more local cricketers are getting the opportunity to develop their skills without having to first move to a Canberra club.

This, Mortimer believes, will prove beneficial in the long run as young players will be able to develop their skills locally and transfer to a higher level of cricket when they're ready.

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