A COACH from Lee has been recognised for outstanding services to grassroots cricket by David Lloyd at the recent Brit Oval England v Pakistan Test clash.

Len Sales holds a number of roles in local cricket including senior development coach for the Greenwich district development group, as well as being senior coach at Old Colfeians CC and Blackheath CC’s junior sections.

He is also the manager of the Greenwich girls and boys sides in the London Youth Games.

Sales was presented with a coaching certificate by former England player and head coach Lloyd as part of the Sky Sports ECB coach education programme.

Coaching for up to 50 hours a week in the summer, Sales has extensively developed and expanded the junior sections of Blackheath Old Colfeians, continually encouraging youngsters to get involved in coaching, as well as developing their play.

Sales also introduced a primary schools festival involving up to 15 Greenwich schools which sees more than 80 teams taking part.

This in turn has led to booming youth sections at various clubs and many kids who have been introduced to cricket here have gone on to play in county squads.

Sales said: “I would like to thank Jerry, Clive and Mike for their nomination and to Colfeians’ Girls Cricket Club.

“I’ve had a good day and it was nice to meet David Lloyd.

“Thanks also has to go to Sky Sports for their funding of the coach education programme.”

For more information on Sky Sports’ ECB coach education programme, visit ecb.co.uk/development/coach-education