Passion for grass roots cricket encouraged Evans to become DSCT trustee

A PASSION for grass-roots cricket was behind Greg Evans’ decision to accept a trustee’s position with the David Shepherd Cricket Trust.

Greg was invited by other trustees to join them to maintain the Evans family tie with the charity.

Greg’s father Geoff Evans, who died last year, was Devon CCC’s chairman and a founder of the David Shepherd Cricket Trust.

New DSCT trustee Greg Evans

Becoming a trustee was an easy decision to make for Greg, who is a huge cricket enthusiast himself.

Greg played for Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, where is currently club chairman, and has been a playing member of the MCC for more than 20 years.

Geoff was heavily involved in getting the Trust up and running four years ago and son Greg wants to keep the work going.

“The David Shepherd Cricket Trust was important to my dad who wanted to maintain Shep’s legacy,” said Greg.

“As I have a fair idea what my dad would have supported as a trustee, I am pleased to take his place.

“I will be keen to support youth cricket at grass-roots level to give talented youngsters who may not have privileged backgrounds the opportunities to progress.”

Greg said he knows from first-hand experience how a grant from the Trust can give youth cricket at clubs a boost.

“We have a busy youth section at Budleigh and have taken advantage of a grant from the Trust to employ a professional coach to work with our youngsters,” said Greg.

“The positive feedback we are getting is fantastic and we are seeing the fruits already.”

Greg is eager to see more people playing the game at club level and would like to see the Trust support clubs with initiatives to promote women’s and girls cricket.

As a father of three daughters, his interest in the women’s game comes as no surprise.

“My youngest has just started in the All Stars programme and seems to be showing good hand-eye co-ordination already,” said Greg.