Author: David

The latest group in Cricket Shropshire’s popular Young Ambassadors Programme have successfully completed their latest training sessions.

They will now go back to their clubs during the Summer to complete volunteering sessions before they graduate.

The latest group of youngsters began their volunteering journey during the February half-term with a First Aid course and a session on officiating.

During the Easter holidays they were back at Wrekin College for more sessions on officiating, a coaching workshop, safeguarding and EDI workshops and a practical grounds maintenance workshop.

The original plan was for there to be 24 Young Ambassadors in the current cohort, but such was the popularity of the scheme was expanded to include two cohorts with 47 candidates.

Cricket Shropshire will be looking to run another course later this year – and we already have a waiting list of potential candidates.

Organiser Shannon Aston said: “We had a great couple of days during the Easter holidays and everyone who came along got stuck in which was great to see.

“Now they will all head back to their clubs with their new skills and bolster the volunteer workforce – we ask them to complete a minimum of 20 hours of actively supporting their clubs during the Summer.

“Most get involved in activities such as scoring junior matches, supporting All Stars and Dynamos coaching and lending a hand at club events. 

“It is fantastic to hear about the activity the young people get involved in and we hope they continue to support their clubs moving forward.”

Cricket Shropshire is running the programme with the help of former Worcestershire and Shropshire ace Jack Shantry who is now part of the First Class Umpiring panel and officiated at his first international game last Summer.

Jack helped launch the programme back in 2021 when he donated some of the proceeds from his benefit year to Cricket Shropshire.

We are delighted to have Jack on board as our Patron.

Jack said: “I think the programme is a great idea and a fantastic initiative. It is a way of supporting local cricket clubs and getting more people involved.

“The Young Ambassadors who have completed the programme find it valuable and it adds to their competence and confidence and also encourages them to get involved with their clubs.”

Keep an eye on the Board’s website and social media for details of future courses.

If anyone has any questions about the Young Ambassadors programme, they can contact Shannon Aston via shannon.aston@cricketshropshire.co.uk