Andy McCrea of Templepatrick CC has been announced by the ECB as one of the winners of the prestigious Sky Sports Coach Awards which are designed to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the support and development of coaches and coaching in cricket.

Schoolteacher McCrea, from County Antrim, received The Outstanding Coaching Achievement award, for making a major contribution to talent development in the local area and helping achieve significant participation growth at his club, Templepatrick CC.

McCrea was presented with his award by England cricketer Ravi Bopara at a special presentation dinner held at Lord’s over the weekend. Now in their fifth year, the awards are made by Sky Sports as part of its wider sponsorship of the ECB’s Coach Education programme and based on nominations received by the ECB’s Coaches Association.

Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth paid tribute to McCrea, saying: “It is great credit to the coach development system now operating at Cricket Ireland that Andy has been recognised in this way; it shows Ireland’s success on the field is complimented by great coaching off the field. Andy’s huge commitment and contribution to his club Templepatrick and his passion to help others in furthering their coaching through his tutoring skills make him a very worthy winner of this award, and show how important the role of clubs is in growing the game in the island of Ireland. Cricket Ireland’s partnership with ECB and its community and elite coach development programme is strong, and we hope this award reflects that position.”

McCrea was clearly honoured at winning the award saying: “I am absolutely delighted with my recent ECB Sky Sports Coaching Award. To be recognised by the ECB as the Outstanding Coaching Achievement winner is a massive honour. It was a night to remember in more ways than one as the venue was the fabulous Long Room at Lords, the home of cricket, making it a great night for not only myself but also my club, Templepatrick Cricket Club and Cricket Ireland to be given so much good press at such a high level.

“This follows on from my award as an ICC European winner earlier this year and I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for nominating me and ICC Europe and the ECB for selecting me, and helping shape and progress my coaching pathway over the years.

“I am really proud of what we have done at Templepatrick CC. We have worked really hard at putting quality structures in place in all aspects of the club, particularly player development, coaching, facilities and investing in our own members in the hope that these solid foundations will lead the whole club along a “self betterment” route. This takes time, but we feel it is worth it and leads to a healthy ethos and a more sustainable club."

(All images copyright Getty Images/ECB)