Winners shine at ceremony

The great and the good of the cricketing world came together to celebrate the work being done by Chance to shine.

The ‘Chance to shine Achievement Awards’, held in Birmingham, recognised the efforts of the teachers, coaches and club managers involved on the ground in the country's biggest school sports development initiative.

ECB Chairman Giles Clarke, England Women's captain Charlotte Edwards, former England captain Mike Gatting, ICC President David Morgan and Devon Malcolm and Vikram Solanki were among the guests.

ECB Chairman Giles Clarke presents the Club of the Year Award at the Chance to shine Achievement Awards

The event, hosted by former England Hockey goalkeeper Roger Dakin, included a Q&A with the professional cricketers, a keynote speech by MCC President John Barclay on the Spirit of Cricket and culminated in the awards presentation.

Ling Bob Junior School in Halifax scooped the coveted School of the Year Award having "embraced the Chance to shine programme from day one...and opened their doors to all Chance to shine events at every opportunity".

Picking up the award Dorian Brooksby, deputy head teacher, said: “Chance to shine is the best sports initiative in my 25 years’ experience of teaching. Cricket has had a big impact on the school, especially on the behaviour of pupils both in the playground and in the classroom.”

Alan McLaren from St Alphege Church of England Junior School, Solihull received the Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by Allianz, for "adding a huge amount of value to Chance to shine in his own time".

The Club Manager of the Year Award went to Mike Fletcher from Sphinx Coventry Cricket Club, Old Northamptonians picked up the Club of the Year Award, while Matt Counsell of Chard Cricket Club in Somerset was presented with the Coach of the Year Award by Slazenger’s Sunny Singh. The judges recognised Matt’s commitment to the programme by travelling 80 miles to complete, without fail, his Chance to shine sessions.

Other winners included Alex Bassan, a coach on the StreetChance supported by Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative, who was recognised by the British Army as the Young Leader of the Year.

The 18 year old from Sutton in Surrey said: “I’m over the moon. This means a lot to me. A couple of years ago I left school with nothing, but with the help of Cricket for Change and in particular my mentor Danny Baker, I’ve become a much better person.”

Law firm Pinsent Masons collected the Business in the Community Award for their commitment to the campaign and for providing 60 volunteers from five of their offices across the country.

A Special Recognition Award, selected by Pinsent Masons, was given to Eaton Gordon, club manager for Handsworth Cricket Club.

Describing the reasons behind the award, Pinsent Masons Partner Jonathan Fortnum said: “Eaton has a genuine passion for cricket and gains a great deal of respect from the children he coaches. This has allowed him to make a real impact, not only in terms of improving children's cricket skills but in developing their wider social skills such as team work and good sportsmanship.

“Chance to shine provides a massive link between local clubs and schools. Every time we have a training session at the schools two or three new members come to the club.”

Chief Executive of the Cricket Foundation, Wasim Khan said: “It’s been another fantastic year for Chance to shine and whilst cricket has enjoyed success at the highest level, ultimately this is underpinned at what goes on at grassroots level. The Chance to shine Awards celebrate the teachers, coaches and supporters who make our campaign world class.”

2009 Awards

School of the Year Award (sponsored by ESP): Ling Bob Primary School

Ling Bob Junior School has embraced the Chance to shine programme from day one. They have been the North Regions flagship school for the past two National Cricket Days, running the curriculum based and extra-curricular activities and opening their doors to all Chance to shine events at every opportunity.

Teacher of the Year Award (sponsored by Allianz): Alan McLaren, St Alphege Church of England Junior School, Solihull

Alan has been a great example of what can be achieved in primary schools he has fully embraced the C2S programme whilst adding a huge amount of value to it in his own time. He has been actively involved in sessions and supported other members of staff ensuring pupils, both boys and girls have been involved in the programme.

Club of the Year Award (sponsored by ECB): Old Northamptonians

Old Northamptonians have focussed their effort in schools that appreciated the delivery in 2008 to provide a better service to their cluster. With two excellent Level 2 Coaches leading the delivery and a very effective club manager in Rosemary Swallow they have consistently over performed.

Club Manager of the Year Award (sponsored by SPIN magazine): Mike Fletcher, Sphinx Coventry Cricket Club

Mike is a great example of how a club manager should run the programme. His efficiency in running the programme and organising festivals, as well as exceptional paperwork have ensured a consistently high standard.

Coach of the Year Award (sponsored by Slazenger): Matt Counsell, Chard Cricket Club, Somerset

Matt journeys 80 miles to complete sessions. He has never been late or called off a session. He shows enthusiasm and commitment and has a super way of communicating with the children. He has encouraged participation in cricket at all levels from teachers to pupils, including girls, as well as actively promoted Chance to shine in local newspapers. He also assisted with organising the International 20/20 demos at Taunton.

Best Girls’ section Award (sponsored by The Lady Taverners): Findon Cricket Club, Sussex

Findon Cricket Club have been part of the Sussex Cricket Girls project since 2007. At the start of 2007 the club only had two girls. Through their participation in the Chance to shine programme they have now engaged 20 girls on their list.

Young Leader of the Year (sponsored by The British Army): Alex Bassan, Cricket for Change/StreetChance London coach

Alex works with Cricket for Change as a community coach and is a direct result of the StreetChance programme. He attended sessions and enjoyed it so much that he wanted to become a coach......the rest is history.

Special Recognition Award (sponsored by Pinsent Masons): Eaton Gordon, Handsworth Cricket Club

Eaton has a genuine passion for cricket and gains a great deal of respect from the children he coaches. This has allowed him to make a real impact, not only in terms of improving children's cricket skills but in developing their wider social skills such as team work and good sportsmanship

MCC Spirit of Cricket Award (sponsored by MCC): Adrian Noot, Falmouth Cricket Club, Cornwall

Adrian instigated and organised the MCC/Chance to shine Beach Cricket Tournament held at Perranporth on National Cricket Day for girls and boys from eight secondary schools to enjoy a new and exciting cricket experience. Adrian perfectly captured the best of the new and old traditions that make the game special.

Volunteer of the Year: Martin Briggs

During the last year, Martin has freely given many hours of this time to help our fundraising events and, in particular, has contributed his professional expertise to help the Cricket Foundation prepare for the important role as a joint beneficiary of the Lord Mayor of London’s Appeal for 2010.

Business in the Community Award: Pinsent Masons, international Law firm

Pinsent Masons was named Best Business in the Community for their commitment to the campaign and for providing 60 voluntary employees from five branches across the country, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London and Manchester.