Whitehaven’s cricket professional Terance Warde is proving a hit off the field, as well as on it at the Playground.
Warde has made a big impression on local schools as he has been visiting them to carry out several coaching sessions.
He has been aided by volunteers from the Whitehaven club – young players Leo Sanczuk, Josh Foster and Maddie Wood – and has been delighted by the response from the pupils in years three to six.
Several of the children have enjoyed it so much that they have joined the club, which is currently enjoying its best season for a number of years.
The project has been so popular that plans for next season’s sessions are already underway when it is hoped that even more schools will participate.
The club was able to purchase all the coaching equipment needed following generous grants from the Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel, Whitehaven Town Council and Active Cumbria – Sellafield Physical Activities Fund.
A club spokesman said: “We are very grateful for their wonderful support in promoting cricket in the town and surrounding area.”
Warde, 35, who is from St Kitts and plays for the Leeward Islands joined Whitehaven in 2021 when he is remembered for a brilliant unbeaten century and in a thrilling finish guided them to a three wicket win at Haverigg with just seven balls to spare.
That innings saved Whitehaven from relegation but he had to miss the following year because of a change in the West Indian season which meant that he would have been unavailable for too many of the early games.
He was back last year as Whitehaven improved their League position and this season, just a game short of the half-way point, the Playground side lie third in the Premier Division.
