David Booth wins 2017 Coach of the Year.
In 2001, David Booth (right) began to invite juniors, both girls and boys, to come to learn and love the game of cricket at Yapham Cricket Club, in East Yorkshire. His dedication and industry led to steady recruitment over the years and the formation of teams from under 9 to under 17. David also encouraged others to train as coaches at Yapham (there are now 12 active). The robust junior set up at Yapham (80 juniors in 2016, including 17 girls) owes much to David and those coaches. David’s view is that a thriving club is never down to any individual, but to everybody involved. But, in truth, none of this would have happened without David.
In 2007, it became apparent that the young players David and his colleagues had brought through wanted and needed senior cricket. So, a second team was established, which now thrives in the York Vale League. It then became evident that even that was not enough to accommodate the aspirations of the junior players. So, in 2014, a third team was formed and is now in its third season in the York Vale League. Nine members of the club’s first team, playing in the York Senior League, are graduates of the Yapham ‘academy’.
David has also dedicated himself to the development of women and girls’ cricket. In 2017, for the first time in many years, the tradition of women’s cricket at Yapham has been revived, with a side competing in the Yorkshire Women’s Sunday League. Three years ago, David was the club’s welfare officer. He realised that, with so many junior boys and girls in their care, it would be wise to recruit and train additional welfare officers. He now leads a team of three trained people, including one woman.
Well done to David for his fantastic achievements in coaching and his very-well deserved Outstanding Services to Cricket Award!