WE are delighted to announce that the David Shepherd Cricket Trust are again offering support to help clubs with winter training for colts.

Mark Ansell, the DSCT chairman, said: “We know how important training for the colts is over the winter months, but it can be very difficult to organise it in a cost-effective way.

“Therefore, we wanted to find a way that removes some of the financial risk for clubs and which, hopefully, will mean that more young players across the county get the chance to train and improve their skills this winter.”

The package on offer is really simple:

The first 10 clubs to submit 10 fully completed application forms for membership of the Trust will be awarded £600 to put towards winter training for their colts section.

• There are a few small requirements to make sure that the support provided goes towards achieving the aims of the Trust:
• We need new members who support us for the long term, so we ask that all the application forms are fully completed, including the annual renewal standing order mandate.
• The funds must be used for coaching colts and helping more young people to play cricket (e.g. paying coaches, hiring halls, equipment for skill development). They are not to be used to purchase playing kit.
• At the end of the winter, each club that is awarded a grant needs to provide a short report to the Trust explaining what they spent the money on and the results they have achieved.

“We are here to help more young people play the great game of cricket and to help the talented to become the stars of tomorrow,” said Ansell.

“Supporting winter coaching for colts across the county fits brilliantly with our objectives and we are delighted to work with Devon Youth Cricket Association to make this happen.”

The programme is now open and membership forms can be downloaded from the Trust website www.dsct111.org.uk/joining-donating/sign-up/

Please send completed membership forms in a single block to Tim Burke, Membership Secretary, David Shepherd Cricket Trust, Devcor House, 91 North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8JT with a short note saying you are applying for the £600 colts winter coaching funding.

Remember, the first 10 clubs with 10 new members will win the funding support