Staffordshire Cricket update

Alan Hill Wins Regional Award

Outstanding Staffordshire head coach Alan Hill has been recognised for his coaching ability by winning the regional coach of the year.

In the ceremony at Edgbaston, Alan was presented with his Sky Sports regional coach of the year award and is now into the final three for the national awards.

Alan's recognition follows some superb results for the county in under 17's cricket and also the success of the superb Staffordshire Emerging players programme, that Alan coaches and manages.
The county are now having unprecedented numbers of players in the midlands squads as well as four players currently representing England at age group level.

Alan commonly known to all as 'Bud', goes forward to the national awards at Lords on September 12th.

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Sam Kelsall picks up awards

Sam Kelsall has been selected to receive the ‘Jack Hobbs Award’ given annually to the best under 15 cricketer in England.

The Moddershall batsman has had a remarkable season and this shows the national selectors are taking note.

Sam has also been picked as the Nottinghamshire Academy player of the year.

In what has been a remarkable season for Sam these are superb awards to reward his fantastic year.

Sam has already picked up the highest run scorer at the national under 15 'Bunbury' Festival and has scored three half centuries in four games for England under 15's including playing at Lords on September 10th. The Lords fixture against England under 16's ended in a tie.

Sam's award makes it a double for Staffordshire players following on the news of Jack Manuel being awarded Worcestershire Academy player of the year.

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Go Green for Milford

Milford Hall Cricket Club near Stafford are the latest recipient of an ECB grant engineered by information from Staffordshire Cricket funding.

The club approached the 'Go Green' environment fund for double glazing around their clubhouse to replace the current rotten windows. The saving of heating expense will save the club money and use less fuel.

The cost of the project exceeds £6,000 and congratulations to all at Milford on the grant award

The 'Go Green' fund is still open and any clubs wanting advice are asked to contact Andy Grice 07831 158522 or andy.grice@ecb.co.uk 

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Manuel Scoops Award

Exciting Staffordshire under 17 opening batsman Jack Manuel has scooped a prestigious award from Worcestershire.

Following on from gaining a summer contract with Worcestershire and scoring a century on debut for England under 17's, Jack has now been awarded Worcestershire Academy player of the year.

Jack is expected to pick up his trophy at a Worcestershire game in the near future.

Congratulations to Jack from all at Staffordshire Cricket.

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Staffs under 17s National Final

After much anticipation the LV National Girls under 17's Final took place at Oakamoor between Staffordshire and Somerset.

Somerset decided to bat after winning the toss on a beautiful sunny day perfect for a final of this stature.
After an early tight spell of bowling by Staffordshire captain Georgia Elwiss, Somerset started to score more freely with captain Anya Shrobnall to the fore scoring 38 in a partnership with Sophie Luff.
Staffordshire through good bowling by Katherine Whyle 2-24, Elsa Evans 1-28 and Charlotte Whyle 1-24 established some control in the middle of the 40 over innings. Luff (39) and Hannah Sparks (20 not out) regained the upper hand for a short while before Elwiss 3-14 returned to take late wickets and leave Somerset on 138-8 at the end of the innings.

Staffordshire's reply started brightly with a 34 run opening partnership between Georgia Elwiss and Danielle Wyatt. Wyatt (32) continued to dominate but her dismissal with the score on 54 left Staffordshire with an uphill struggle.
Elsa Evans (18), did well but Staffs struggled to come to terms with Lauren Shrobnall 5-14 and Laura Rowlands 2-23 ending 95 all out.

Captain Georgia Elwiss commented "I'm extremely proud of my team who have been immense all season and who have given their all. I would like to thank them all and the coaches for their help all season"

Coach Dave Ford said he was very proud to have reached the national final two years running and he was proud of the girls' achievements in winning the league and reaching the national final.

Staffordshire Cricket Board would like to place on record its thanks to all involved in the side Coaches, players and parents alike.  

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Danni and Georgia picked for England Academy

Danielle Wyatt and Georgia Elwiss were yesterday informed they have been selected for the England Academy squad for this winter and next summer.

In what has been a great season for both the girls, this is further recognition of their hard work and dedication.

The England Academy are due a tour to Australia in late 2009 so this is more for the girls to work towards.

Next Month sees the start of winter work for both the girls when they start life as members of the Derbyshire Academy under the guidance of Karl Krikken.

Both girls will be going to Derby two evenings a week plus specialised sessions but will be able to still play cricket under the Staffordshire banner.

Well done to Georgia and Danni from all at Staffordshire Cricket.

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Great season for Matthew

Blythe batsman Matthew Goodwin has had an exceptional season in the Kidsgrove and District Under 17 League.

In the sunday morning competition, Matthew has scored 955 runs at an average of 86.8.

The 16 year old youngster only went to the crease 15 times in a superb season

Congratulations on a fantastic achievement.

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Go Green Fund

The ‘Go Green’ Club Fund is open to all ECB affiliated Clubs who registered for, and participated in, NatWest CricketForce in 2008.

The fund is designed to promote the concept of cricket clubs ‘going green’ and to support the UK’s short target to reduce CO2 omissions by 20 per cent by 2010.

All projects must evidence an environmental theme and/or improve energy efficiency.

Examples of the type of project that will be supported include:

• Solar Panels
• Wind Turbines
• Low energy lighting
• Improved thermal efficiency of walls, windows and roofs
• Installation of energy efficient products e.g. boilers
• Provision of bicycle storage
• Water conservation
• Composting / Recycling Schemes

Grants cannot exceed 75 per cent of the total project costs and are limited to a maximum of £10,000 per club. However, EWCT reserves the right to review other projects under special circumstances.  

Be quick as the Go Green Fund is running out fast.

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For further information concerning Staffordshire Cricket please contact Andy Grice:

Email: andy.grice@ecb.co.uk
Tel: 07831 158522.

To view the full September 2008 Newsletter which provides information on other funding opportunities, nominations for youth representative trials for the 2009 season and dates of trials click here.