AWARD winning cricketers have been given new drive after securing places in a top development squad.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College students James Kelly and Sam Winter will now join the Silver Pathways Scheme and receive top class coaching at the spiritual home of Yorkshire cricket, Headingly, in Leeds.
Sam, 15, of Reeth, was recently awarded the U14 Batsman of the Year accolade by Yorkshire Cricket Club.
He was top scorer for the county with 350 runs in the season and an average of 33. The Year 10 student, who bats at number four, also received the bowling trophy from Yorkshire for the top performance of the season taking five wickets for 12 runs in a match against Nottinghamshire.
As school cricket captain Sam also led the school team to the honours in the Area Cup and the North Yorkshire County Cup where he finished with an astonishing batting average of 218.
James, 14, of Richmond, finished the season for Yorkshire U13s with 23 wickets and was awarded Bowler of the Year. The left-arm spinner was also top wicket taker for the county at the National County Tournament in Taunton helping Yorkshire reach the final with eight wickets.
The 14-year-old played a key role for the school cricket team as they won the Yorkshire Indoor County Cup, with James finishing the match by taking the winning wicket in the final.
Both players are hoping for a good season this year so they will be spotted by Yorkshire Cricket Club’s development squad.
Sam said: “Our respective dads got each of us into cricket and we would love to play at the highest level possible. It was a privilege to receive the awards and the coaching we will receive on the Pathways programme will be amazing and really improve our game.”
Richmond School and Sixth Form College leader of sport leisure and community Tony Potter said: “Both students are incredible cricketers with extremely bright futures in the game. They have such great individual skills but are also good team players.”