Oxfordshire cricket coach Paul White was presented with an award for his outstanding service to grassroots cricket ahead of the fourth npower Test between England and India at the Kia Oval on August 19.
White received a certificate from former England captain, Sky Sports presenter and columnist Michael Atherton. The award was part of the Sky Sports ECB coach education programme. He is one of more than 100 coaches from across the country to receive an on-pitch presentation from a cricket legend during the summer.
Paul received the award for his contribution to women's cricket across the county, and his work to make it a strong part of the senior game in Oxfordshire. The senior women's side play in Division 5 South and West of the ECB Women’s County Championship.
In their last outing Megan Burton hit her maiden century to steer the county to a 104-run win over Wiltshire. Following the presentation, Paul said: “The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education programme gives us all a stable measure to work towards and with. Aside from that, it also provides great levels of support and funding, which are invaluable to every club."
The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme aims to attract and train coaches at all levels of cricket in England and Wales. Since the beginning of Sky’s sponsorship in 2007, over 33,000 coaches have gone through the scheme, more than triple the original target. For every professional cricketer in England and Wales, there are now over 100 grass root coaches.
