David wins Criced Cymru 'Rising Star' award

Coleg Menai learner David Owen has won Criced Cymru’s Rising Star award in recognition of his coaching work with Menai Bridge Cricket Club.

David, 16, won the accolade at the Cricket Wales 2023 Club Volunteers Awards, held in Cardiff recently. He has now been nominated by Cricket Wales for the same category in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s annual volunteers’ awards.

David, who studies Level 3 Sports Coaching at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus, coaches players through the age groups at his hometown club, from the under-nines all the way up to the U15s.

He captained Menai Bridge’s third team on several occasions this summer, helping to bring players through from the U15s into the seniors, and guiding the team to top spot in the North Wales Cricket League’s Sunday West Division.

David also plays as an all-rounder for the first and second teams, and helps coach the women’s team.

He was presented with his Rising Star award by Rachel Warrenger, Women and Girls’ Development Officer for North Wales, at a ceremony held during Glamorgan’s match against Derbyshire recently.

David said afterwards: “It was a great experience. When I was in the U13s and U15s we had people the age I am now helping us out, and I want to do the same, to give something back.”

Sue Wells, Cricket Wales area manager for North Wales, said: “David is a brilliant volunteer at Menai Bridge Cricket Club, where he has volunteered running junior cricket programmes for the last three years.

“He is a dedicated member of the club who helps with the junior cricket teams. He assists with coaching, scores and umpires for the club across the junior section, as well as scoring for the senior team. He fully deserves his rising star award in the Cricket Wales Volunteers Awards and Recognition Day.”

After finishing his course at Coleg Menai, David hopes to spend a season playing cricket in Australia. He is also a talented rugby player, representing Bangor under-18s.

For more information on Sport and Outdoor Education courses at Coleg Menai, click here. Applications open in November for September 2024 entry.