Kent community coach wins national award

A Kent community cricket coach won a national award at Lord’s this week.

Adrian Crust was named Coach of the Year at the Chance to Shine Annual Awards on Tuesday 14 November.

Book a place on a Christmas coaching course at Beckenham with Adrian

The coach from Sidcup was recognised for his hard work supporting grassroots cricket and received the award from England and Surrey batsman Jason Roy.

The Chance to Shine Annual Awards, supported by NatWest, celebrates clubs, individuals and schools who help to spread the power of cricket and make the charity such a success.

The judging panel noted that Adrian is completely committed to giving children their opportunity to play and enjoy cricket.

From delivering MCC Spirit of Cricket assemblies with great gusto to performing on the playground to enthuse the pupils, he is completely dedicated to cricket.

The former police officer joined Kent Cricket as a community coach and now works in Primary and Secondary Schools across the county.

Chance to Shine has been working since 2005 to reverse the decline of cricket in state schools. By providing coaching in schools and extra-curricular opportunities, the charity has reached more than 3.5 million young people, 46% of whom are girls, in over 14,000 states schools across the country.

After receiving the award Adrian said: “It’s absolutely magic to win the award. I only started working for Kent a year ago so to get this recognition is quite something. Being a cricket coach is something which I get tremendous enjoyment out of, I look forward to everyday.”

England cricketer Jason Roy, who attended the event, said: “This has been an incredibly inspiring evening. It’s been fantastic to hear the powerful stories of the people who make cricket the amazing, inclusive game that it is. I’d like to congratulate Adrian for all his hard work and dedication to the sport.

“Chance to Shine is a brilliant charity and they are working hard to make sure that every child in the country is given the opportunity to play and learn through cricket.”

Luke Swanson, Chief Executive at Chance to Shine, added, “Our awards celebrate some truly inspiring people who use the power of cricket to ignite new passions, teach vital skills and unite diverse communities.

“Adrian is a shining example who richly deserves this recognition and thanks. He has made a real difference by giving so many young people their chance to shine, and we hope he will give that same opportunity to many many more.”

Book a place on a Christmas coaching course at Beckenham with Adrian

Find out more at www.chancetoshine.org and www.kentcommunitycricket.co.uk