Shropshire coaches honoured by the ECB

Richard Whateley, of Bishops Castle Cricket Club, and Mike Griffiths, from Reman Services, received awards from former Lancashire and England batsman Neil Fairbrother, on behalf of the ECB Coaches Association at Lancashire's Old Trafford Stadium.

Whateley won the Outstanding Contribution award, while Griffiths has been named Coach of the Year.

Whateley has been rewarded for his work as chairman, coach and junior cricket co-ordinator at Bishop's Castle.

His nomination for the award, which was made by the Shropshire Cricket Board, read: "As Richard has taken a step back from a major role at the club, it is his time to be recognised.

"Over the years he has helped put hundreds of children through the junior coaching programme.

"With Richard's help, a number of players at the club have attended county selection training programmes and this has further developed their cricket skills.

"As well as playing a vital role in the junior section he has helped coaches to develop and go through coaching badges with the club.

"Richard is appreciated by all members of the club and the club would be lost without him."

Griffiths dedicated time to both club and county in roles such as Shropshire Under-12s boys assistant coach and manager, Reman Services youth section co-ordinator, club coach for juniors and the newly-formed women and girls section.

His nomination form, which was written by the Shropshire Cricket Board, read: "Mike has worked so hard over the past year on developing young cricketers in Shropshire, both at his club and while working on Shropshire Player Pathway Coaching Programmes.

"He is an extremely hard-working individual who continually makes personal sacrifices, in order to facilitate the development of young cricketers in Shropshire.

"He almost single-handedly created and started a successful youth section at Reman Services, where he co-ordinates the coaching all year round."