Kidsgrove Cricket Coach Recognised For Sporting Dedication
A longstanding volunteer cricket coach from Kidsgrove has been recognised for his commitment to grassroots sport after being named among the winners of the prestigious West Midlands Community Sports Awards 2016.
David Rigby, who has been a volunteer coach for 31 years at Kidsgrove Cricket Club, was named Community Coach of the Year (Sponsored by Sport Structures Ltd) at a special ceremony at Villa Park last night (30 November), hosted by Nick Owen and Mary Rhodes from BBC Midlands.
The West Midlands Community Sports Awards in association with The University of Birmingham/360 Sport & Fitness, its principal supporter, highlight the power of sport by recognising sports clubs, projects and individuals that have made a difference in their local community.
David is committed to the development of young people in cricket, especially at grassroots level, giving himself and his time selflessly and unconditionally. Dedicating time to developing facilities and securing funding for equipment, he sees the club as a place that can be a safe community to many whilst also supporting wider community issues within Kidsgrove.
David was joined on stage by other winners from across the region including a veteran champion of community sport, a grassroots football club and a Paralympic silver medallist.
Showjumper Nick Skelton, who finally won his first individual gold medal at his seventh Olympic Games this year, was inducted into the BBC Midlands Sporting Hall of Fame at the event, joining previous winners including Sir Stanley Matthews, Dennis Amiss, Gordon Banks, Dave Moorcroft and Richie Woodall.
Zena Wooldridge, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham said: “Once again the quality of the short-listed candidates was exceptional and their contribution quite amazing in some cases. The numbers and range of nominees across these awards is reflective of a huge workforce, often volunteers, who are the heartbeat of community sport in the West Midlands.”
“It was a real honour for 360 Sport & Fitness to be involved as principal supporter and I am delighted to see the positive impact that sport continues to have in our local communities.”
Mark Thornewill, Director at Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for David, who was up against some stiff competition from across the West Midlands region and I am delighted for him.”
The West Midlands Community Sports Awards is run by six County Sports Partnerships across the region; Black Country BeActive Partnership; Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire Sport; Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin; Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent; Sport Birmingham; and Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire.
For a full list of winners and to read more about their stories visit www.westmidlandscommunitysportsawards.co.uk.