ILLINGWORTH CC

LUKE BROOKSBY, Illingworth Cricket Club Coach, was pronounced “Chance to Shine National Coach of the Year” at the Cricket Foundation’s Inaugural ‘Chance to Shine’ Patrons and Award Winners Ceremony held in the presence of a star studded audience in the historic Long Room at the Lords Cricket Ground Pavilion. He received his award from former Prime Minister, Sir John Major and ex-England fast bowler, Devon Malcolm.

Club Cricket Coaches around the UK have been involved in the national ‘Chance to Shine’ initiative supported by the Government through the National Sports foundation and Sport England to bring back cricket to state Schools – the largest ever grassroots initiative of its kind in any sport.

Brooksby’s work, as part of a successful Illingworth CC Coaching Team, was particularly held in high regard by Jim Love, the Chance to Shine Regional Manager who brought a film crew to record some of his work in schools during the summer, footage of which will be used for publicity of the “Chance to Shine” Scheme which has brought cricket to schools and children across England since its start in 2006.

A former North Halifax GS pupil, Brooksby is now an ICT Media student at Manchester Metropolitan University. He regularly returned across the Pennines each week in the summer to deliver cricket sessions to Calderdale Primary Schools during pre-School Breakfast Cricket Clubs, School games lessons and then in after School Clubs. He also taught cricket at The Ridings School, North Halifax Grammar School and St. Mary’s RC Primary School as well as officiating at the Calderdale Schools Kwik Cricket Competition for the 5^th successive year. His work gained acclaim and respect from
Headteachers, teachers, school staff and many pupils across Calderdale. A film of his work was shown at the packed Awards Ceremony.

During the School summer holidays, he was instrumental in delivering for a second successive summer, ‘Beach Cricket’ at Whitehill Primary School followed by two day Summer Camps at Illingworth CC.

The Club’s 1^st XI alrounder also Coached the Club’s Under 17s Club side who came Runners-Up in the Halifax Junior Cricket League.

Brooksby scooped the North of England Regional Coach Award ahead of Club colleague and Coach Dennis Verity, who was also nominated in the category which was sponsored by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Illingworth CC have been invited to undertake a third year of “Chance to Shine” cricket in Calderdale Schools during the 2008 Summer Term.