David Sear honoured with MBE for services to cricket

Kent coach David Sear was awarded an MBE for services to women’s and girls’ cricket in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The 61-year-old former PE teacher has worked in cricket development for more than 20 years since becoming the first Kent Cricket Development Officer in 1992.

Mr Sear said: “It is a total surprise and incredibly humbling. I am truly grateful but amazed and excited that my work has been recognised in this way. But it’s not just down to me.

“There must be hundreds of girls and their families who have been involved in women’s and girls’ cricket along the way.

“From a chance meeting with Martin Greenway and Mike Askew whose girls played cricket at the same school in Hayes, their daughters went on to play for Kent and England.

“The MBE is for us all and I will, of course, be accepting the honour on behalf of everyone involved in Kent girls’ and women’s cricket.”

Under his stewardship, Kent fielded the county’s first Under 13 side in 1996, the first Under 11 side in 1999 andin 2000, the Under 15s were the first of many age groups to win national titles.

Several Kent players including Lydia Greenway, Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant progressed to play for England and win six County Championship titles in the last decade, finishing runners-up three times.

David has spent the last 18 years coaching the Under 11 side, sharing his passion and enthusiasm for the game with the next generation of Kent cricketers.

Mr Sear said: “To give the girls a good grounding in the skills of the game and then to see them play is what it is all about. If I can coach them to love the game, and to be the best that they can be, then I am happy.

“I’ve been lucky enough to see some of them go on to play for Kent and England, as Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant have done.I still love coaching and no plans to retire any time soon.”

Kent captain Charlotte Edwards CBE, the longest-serving England skipper of all-time, said: “Congratulations to David for all his hard work in promoting and supporting youth cricket in Kent.

“The number of girls playing the game at schools and clubs across the county is increasing all the time and it’s down to the commitment of volunteers like David who give up their time.

“I have no doubt we will see more and more girls coming through to play for Kent and England in the coming years.”