Tammy Beaumont wins Chance to Shine award
Tuesday 18th November 2014
Kent and England women's cricketer Tammy Beaumont’s contribution to cricket helped her pick up a special honour at the Chance to Shine Annual Awards.
Tammy, a Chance to Shine ambassador, was recognised for her dedication to grassroots cricket by winning the ‘Ambassador of the Year’ award.
The 23-year-old’s willingness to interact with young people has seen her become a hugely popular figure within the schools programme where she has offered expert advice and tips to budding cricketers.
Tammy was honoured to have been nominated by her peers and is proud to be working on the Chance to Shine initiative run by the Cricket Foundation.
She said: “It’s very nice to be recognised for giving something back to cricket through Chance to Shine.
“It’s enjoyable to go out and coach with all of them and once you are mates, it helps the kids. Having a friendly atmosphere to a session really helps everybody.
“It’s great to go to work every day and see the kids’ smiling faces. It’s an integral part of getting children involved in cricket and in a few years’ time I think we’ll see Chance to Shine children playing professional cricket.
“There’s sometimes a few boys and girls who might not necessarily want to get involved at the start but by having a quiet word you can get them joining in. They might end the session in love with cricket and that’s what I take home every day.
"If I have got one child enjoying cricket by the end of the session, that’s what gives me a boost. That’s the reason I do it.”
Chance to Shine has brought cricket and its educational benefits to 10,000 state schools and has educated two and a half million children through the sport since it launched in 2005.
The programme costs £5million a year to run, the equivalent of £15 per child.