Coach of the Year

28 April 2008

Neil Bradshaw and Neil Caldecott receive their awards

Shropshire’s star cricket coaches, Neil Bradshaw and Jonathan Caldecott, between them took the title of Coach of the Year at the 2008 npower Disability Sports Awards held at Aston Villa Football Club.

Between them, Neil from Oswestry and Jonathan, who lives in Market Drayton, have been coaching the Shropshire County Disability Cricket Squad for four years. In addition, they work full time, play cricket, coach U11 and U13 girls, coach at local club level, volunteer at Shropshire schools and support sports festivals.

Neil Bradshaw and Jonathan Caldecott are dedicated coaches

On top of all that, they give their time, concern and help to the CDCS players as confidantes, mentors and friends.

Last year, they won the Energize Shropshire Teford and Wrekin ‘Coach of the Year Award’ and the ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’. They have just finished working with the Cricket Development Manager on the County Action Plan to promote more disability cricket in Shropshire.

The dynamic duo beat rugby coach Steve Joslin and futsal coach Craig Reilly – both from Worcestershire – to the award.

There were several sports personalities at the presentation evening supporting the English Federation of Disability Sports’ annual event, which aims to raise the profile of disability sports and the tremendous achievements made by competitors of all ages, their coaches and supporters.

Celebrity guests included the Football Association’s Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking, paralympian and world Number One Boccia player Nigel Murray and World Champion rower Tom Kay.

Eleven awards were presented on the night, recognising competitors of all ages and standards, schools and teams and people who participate in a supporting role as volunteers or ambassadors of sport.

Kevin Rodgers, community involvement executive for event sponsor, npower, said: “Neil and Jonathan work tirelessly to promote opportunities for disability cricket and deserve to have their commitment and incredible team approach celebrated. They are amazing role models.”

Dennis Hodgkins, regional development manager at the EFDS, added: “Shropshire’s County Disability Cricket Squad has an impressive reputation and that has a lot to do with the time and effort Neil and Jonathan commit to the sport.”

Coach of the Year

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