Sale Cricket coach Chris Smith has been recognised for outstanding services to grassroots cricket by former England batsman Mark Ramprakash.
Ramprakash, now the England batting coach, presented him with the Cheshire Cricket Board Coach of the Year award at the recent Headingly test match against Sri Lanka.
The judges commented that, "He manages and influences the section across all required aspects and is a valued and respected coach. The motivations of Chris – a genuine appreciation, enthusiasm and love of cricket – are values which he manages to convey and instil in fellow coaches and junior cricketers alike."
Chris with typical modesty said that, “The award reflects the work of all the volunteer coaches at Sale.”
Chris is joint junior chairman at Sale Cricket Club, where he has coached for the last 6 years. Under his guidance the junior sections has gone from strength to strength, with over 100 boys and girls receiving regular coaching and participating in 10 age group teams. As well as coaching Chris also pens the popular and insightful Declaration Game blog, often reflecting on his coaching experiences.
Remarkably Chris becomes that second Sale coach to receive this prestigious award in the last 5 years, after Rick Halkon gained the same accolade in 2012.
