Inspirational coach is rewarded (From Worcester News)

Inspirational coach is rewarded

2:30pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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HEREFORDSHIRE coach Nick Hitchings has been recognised for his outstanding service to the community through cricket.

Hitchings was among 100 coaches acknowledged by the third year of the Sky Sports Coach Reward and Recognition Scheme.

The satellite channel is involved with the scheme through their Sky Sports Developing the Coaches sponsorship.

During the first Ashes Test at Cardiff, Hitchings was presented with his award by England and Wales Cricket Board managing director of cricket partnerships Mike Gatting, the former Ashes-winning captain.

Hitchings is a busy coach with Herefordshire Cricket Board, coaching the under 11s through to the under 17s, the development academy, district cricket squads and the emerging player programme.

He has been commended for his excellent coaching which has been described as combining tactical and technical tuition with his knowledge and experience of fitness and conditioning.

Hitchings has also been commended for his patient manner and inspirational work.

He said: “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day thanks to the ECB and Sky Sports who are doing a great job developing grass-roots cricket.”

In addition to rewarding long-standing servants of cricket coaching, Sky Sports are working with the ECB to provide Sky Sports coaching scholarships for new coaches throughout Europe.