Pembrokeshire’s very own Community Cricket Coach - known to hundreds of primary school children as The Cricket Man! – is gearing up for the coming season.
 
Rick Walton from Nolton Haven has been bouncing into schools and clubs across the county to meet this summer’s cricketing challenge.
 
Rick (aka @cricketmanwales on twitter!) has delivered dynamic, and often challenging, sessions of fun, cricket-based games into schools for the last three years on behalf of Sport Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire County Council’s sports development service.
 
The coach targets both girls and boys and primary and secondary school pupils with the aim of enthusing children for the game as well as building links between schools and their local clubs.
 
“Rick’s work demonstrates that cricket can be a hugely engaging and inspiring sport for children,” said Matthew Freeman, Cricket Development Officer with Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sports development service.
 
“Over the years, he has made loads of new friends among the pupils and received huge support from the head teachers and staff who have assisted him.
 
“Cricket has seen a huge upswing in popularity among youngsters recently and I have no doubt that a lot of it is down to his influence.”
 
Recently Rick, who is also the regional under 13’s coach for Pembrokeshire, has been working with schools in the Milford and North Pembrokeshire areas directing keen youngsters to weekly Cricket Hub sessions at their local leisure centres.
 
Cricket Hub sessions for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 take place at Crymych Leisure Centre on Monday nights 5pm to 6pm.
 
Meanwhile at The Meads Leisure Centre in Milford Haven sessions take place on Fridays 5pm to 6pm.
 
Please contact the leisure centres to book a place.

PHOTO:
Pictured is Rick Walton