SEVENTEEN year old David Skyrme

is passionate about his cricket but also

about encouraging others to take part in

the sport he loves. In recognition of his

efforts in coaching juniors for the Rosson-

Wye Cricket Club he was awarded

the Herefordshire Annual Sports

Awards 2008 Young Volunteer of the

Year.

After attending an 'Intro to Cricket

Coaching' course, David got the

'coaching bug' and in 2008 he undertook

an ECB Level 1 Cricket Coaching

course which he passed with flying

colours. David helped out with all the

club's junior winter training sessions

building a good relationship

with the younger membership,

who all look up to David.

Terese Warwick, the Secretary

of Ross Cricket Club told

the Ross Gazette: "If I had

more volunteers like David we

could achieve anything."

All through the summer

training sessions David was

always the first person at the

ground to help set up that

evening's activities and always

one of the last to leave the club

once all the equipment had

been stored away. As well as

his coaching duties David also

helped with the team management

of one of the U13 sides,

who under David's mentoring

had a very successful season in

2008.

David's appetite for coaching

is not the only thing that he

brings to the club, throughout the 2008

season David also helped other members

of the club with umpiring, scoring,

ground preparation, discussing coaching

sessions and ideas for new cricket

based skill activities, cutting the outfield,

making sure that visiting teams

are well catered for and being a friend

to the children he coaches.

Terese told the Ross Gazette: "David

always has a smile on his face, is polite

and conscientious. He ensures that all

the children he coaches enjoy their time

at Ross Cricket Cricket Club and leave

feeling positive and with a smile on

their face too.

"David is a pleasure to work with and

a great young ambassador for local

cricket at Ross Cricket Club."

David's only comment on winning

this award was: "I see myself as a member

of a dedicated team of volunteers

not an individual."

David was presented with his award on Monday, February 23rd at The

Royal National College for the Blind in

Hereford by Mr Clive Richards. Next week David is attending the

Hereford and Worcester Sports Partnership

awards at Worcester Rugby Club.

He is one of three nominees for Youth

Volunteer of the Year.