Our dental division MI Dental were proud to sponsor the Lancashire Cricket Board’s 2014 Development of Excellence Presentation Evening earlier this month.
Josh Bohannon, Lancashire Cricket Board’s (LCB) under 17 top order batsman, was named the Cedric Rhodes Player of the Season for boys, whilst Eleanor Threlkeld, under 15 wicket keeper and opening bat, was named Player of the Season for girls at The LCB and Lancashire Schools Cricket Association (LSCA) end of season awards.
Both Josh and Eleanor received their awards at the Presentation Evening for 2014 on Monday 10th November. The ceremony, which took place in The Point at Emirates Old Trafford, had over 700 players, parents, guests and officials in attendance.
Speaking of the awards, MI Dental’s Managing Director, Tim Dickinson said: “We’re proud to be sponsoring these awards, celebrating the fantastic achievements of these young people. It was a fantastic evening and I’d like congratulate the winners and finalists on their success.”
This year saw a change to the format of the awards with players of the season being named and awarded in each age group, rather than the players of the months that have been awarded in the past.
The evening was compered by LCB Managing Director Bobby Denning and trophies presented by new LCCC Cricket Director & Head Coach Ashley Giles and LCB Women and England star Kate Cross.
In 2014 the U10s, U11s and U14 Development Teams were all successful at the ECB Taunton Festival; the U13s reached the final of the Northern Counties Competition; the U14s won every game in the ECB Royal London Cup; U17 Girls were finalist of the ECB Royal London Cup and U17 Boys won the Royal London U17 1-Day Cup and shared the 2- Day County Championship with Surrey.
Presentations were also made to those players who achieved significant milestones during the season including centuries, 5-wicket hauls / victims, hat-tricks and outstanding wicket-keeping performances (see the recipients of Trophies below).
Stephen Titchard (LCB Performance Manager) said: “On behalf of the Lancashire Cricket Board I’d like to congratulate all the players that have represented LCB County squads this year. These players are the best players currently playing within their age groups and we hope some of them will go on to represent Lancashire at the senior level. I also would like to thank all the managers and coaches who help ensure these squads perform to their highest level. A special mention to our U17s who successfully won the Royal London U17 One Day Cup and shared the Two Day County Championship with Surrey.”
John Stanworth (LCCC Academy Director) added: “LCB’s Representative System continues to produce players of the qualities necessary to succeed at the next level. The refinement of our system with the Emerging Player Programme and the LCCC Academy programme provide further opportunities for this to be achieved. The successful progress of local players into a very competitive Lancashire First Team is always our aim. My sincere thanks to the Team Managers, coaches, administrators and volunteers who help enormously with our young cricketers.”
Jennifer Laycock (LCB Women & Girls Cricket Development Officer) added: “The women and girls game continues to grow, shown by the 18 professional contracts being awarded to England Women players earlier this year, including LCB’s own Kate Cross. The girls at county age group levels have performed outstandingly well, some of whom featured in the LCB Women’s promotion winning side to Division One. As a County we are at the forefront of the women’s and girls’ game providing many players into the England Women’s Pathway. We must continue to push the boundaries, work hard and provide more players for these programmes. My thanks to all parents, volunteers, coaches and of course the players for their continued energy and support for the girls’ game.”
Read more about the awards here.