Cricket: Cheshire man Peter Hancock wins major national award

Nov 11 2010 By Chronicle reporter

A CHESHIRE man has scooped a major national cricket award.

Peter Hancock, 64, saw off competition from across the country to win the Outstanding Contribution and Services to Coaching honour at the annual Sky Sports Cricket Coach Awards held at the home of cricket.

Receiving his award from England Ashes bowler Steve Finn in the Long Room at Lord’s, Helsby Golf Club member Peter was recognised for his dedication and commitment to cricket in Cheshire, where he has been instrumental in the development of the county’s branch of the ECB Coaches Association.

"It was a real surprise and thrill to win the award as the field was so strong," said Northwich-based Peter.

Currently involved in coach education as an assessor and tutor, Peter has been involved with cricket in Cheshire for 25 years, during which time he has overseen the development of emerging players and coached the county’s age groups teams.

"One of the main achievements during the last few years has been setting up the coaches association in Cheshire and also the elite players programme, which started about three years ago," said Peter, who is a former past captain at Helsby Golf Club.

"What we have done is a real testament to what can be achieved if you have the right people around you.

"It will be nice to look back on the initiatives that we brought in and say that we were there for its emergence."

But Peter has no plans to walk away from the game just yet as he wants to continue to pass on his experience to a new generation of cricket players and coaches.

"I love the game of cricket and I’m happy to lend my experience and expertise," he said.

"It is great to pass on what I’ve learned to young coaches and would like to think as the coaching gets better, the qual