A BEXLEY cricket coach has been recognised for outstanding services to grassroots cricket by Michael Atherton at the Oval.

John Daniels was presented with a special coaching certificate by the former England captain during the first Test against South Africa last Thursday. He has led the Bexley U13 girls’ team to two Lords indoor finals at the London Youth Games, winning once and finishing as runners up in the other.

The girls’ team continues to flourish in Bexley and Sidcup, with several players going on to have trials for Kent.

Daniels was one of 12 coaches who met with Atherton during lunch on pitch at the Kia Oval, all of them being acknowledged by the Sky Sports ECB coach education programme’s reward and recognition scheme.

“Sky Sports has given fantastic exposure to coaching and to the game in general,” said Daniels.

“With the ECB, their funding of the coaching qualifications has really incentivised us to go on more courses.”

The Sky Sports ECB coach education programme aims to attract and train coaches at all levels of cricket in England and Wales.

For more, visit ecb.co.uk/development/coach-education

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