Shep Trust grant supporting Paignton’s growing youth section

PAIGNTON’S young cricketers will be getting valuable practice ahead of the new season thanks to an £800 grant from the David Shepherd Cricket Trust.

The Trust, fast approaching its tenth anniversary, was set up to support youth cricket in Devon with grants towards coaching and development costs.

The charity remembers former Gloucestershire and Devon cricketer David Shepherd, who went on to become one of the top umpires in world cricket for more than 20 years.

Paignton’s youth section has grown over the past decade from four teams in total to seven for boys and three for girls.

The full list of teams is: boys at under-10, 11, 12, 13, 14 15 and 19 and girls at under-11, 13 and 15.

It costs a lot to run a youth section and Paignton, like many clubs, has no income from sources other than what they raise themselves.

Everything costs money, which is why Paignton turned to the David Shepherd Cricket Trust for help.

“The cost of running our increased youth section in terms of indoor and outdoor training and kit has risen substantially,” said Tony Medlock, the colts manager at Queens Park.

“As a result asked for a grant to help us maintain our large commitment to youth cricket.

“All our coaches give their time as volunteers so the grant will be used to fund our youth winter training program.

“We see the winter training program as a way of engaging our younger players during the off season and hopefully retaining them as cricketers when the season starts.”

Most of the grant money will be spent on running ten indoor net sessions at St Cuthbert Mayne School in Torquay. A small amount has been set aside for buying equipment, such as training balls.

Any club in Devon can apply to the Trust for a grant towards coaching and development costs. Around £20,000 is paid out annually. Visit their website www.dsct111.org,uk for details.