A SCHEME to coach cricket skills to young cricketers has been hailed a success.

The Durham and Northumberland cricket boards joined with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation in January to support the development of cricket across the North- East.

The Pass It On campaign aims to ensure there are enough qualified coaches and young leaders to pass on their skills to allow budding players to reach their potential.

Ian Wardle, Director of Cricket at the Northumberland Cricket Board, said the scheme had already made “a fantastic difference in the region’s cricketing opportunities.

“Through the Foundation hundreds of school children are now qualified as Cricket Competition Organisers and Young Leaders and they will be able to develop and pass on their skills to other young people thanks to our partnership’s work in linking schools to local clubs.

“Some children who qualified as Young Leaders this year are now progressing to take their Coaching Assistant qualification, which they can put into practice at their local cricket club, and this really shows how the Foundation is helping young people to pass on their skills.”

The Foundation wants to make sure that more people get involved in supporting their local cricket club as a volunteer coach.

To find out more visit the Foundation’s website at www.tonyblairsportsfoundation.org