LUKE BROOKSBY, Illingworth Cricket Club Coach, was pronounced “Chance to Shine National Coach of the Year” at the Cricket Foundation’s Inaugural ‘Chance to Shine’ Patrons and Award Winners Ceremony held in the presence of a star studded audience in the historic Long Room at the Lords Cricket Ground Pavilion. He received his award from former Prime Minister, Sir John Major and ex-England fast bowler, Devon Malcolm.

Club Cricket Coaches around the UK have been involved in the national ‘Chance to Shine’ initiative supported by the Government through the National Sports foundation and Sport England to bring back cricket to state Schools – the largest ever grassroots initiative of its kind in any sport.

Brooksby’s work, as part of a successful Illingworth CC Coaching Team, was particularly held in high regard by Jim Love, the Chance to Shine Regional Manager who brought a film crew to record some of his work in schools during the summer, footage of which will be used for publicity of the “Chance to Shine” Scheme which has brought cricket to schools and children across England since its start in 2006.

A former North Halifax GS pupil, Brooksby is now an ICT Media student at Manchester Metropolitan University. He regularly returned across the Pennines each week in the summer to deliver cricket sessions to Calderdale Primary Schools during pre-School Breakfast Cricket Clubs, School games lessons and then in after School Clubs. He also taught cricket at The Ridings School, North Halifax Grammar School and St. Mary’s RC Primary School as well as officiating at the Calderdale Schools Kwik Cricket Competition for the 5^th successive year. His work gained acclaim and respect from
Headteachers, teachers, school staff and many pupils across Calderdale. A film of his work was shown at the packed Awards Ceremony.

During the School summer holidays, he was instrumental in delivering for a second successive summer, ‘Beach Cricket’ at Whitehill Primary School followed by two day Summer Camps at Illingworth CC.

The Club’s 1^st XI alrounder also Coached the Club’s Under 17s Club side who came Runners-Up in the Halifax Junior Cricket League.

Brooksby scooped the North of England Regional Coach Award ahead of Club colleague and Coach Dennis Verity, who was also nominated in the category which was sponsored by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Illingworth CC have been invited to undertake a third year of “Chance to Shine” cricket in Calderdale Schools during the 2008 Summer Term.

Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, recently presented Illingworth Cricket Club’s Advanced Coach, Dorian Brooksby, with a prestigious Torch Trophy Trust Award for 2006 at the Army & Navy Club in Pall Mall, London.

The 44^th Annual Award Ceremony, which recognised outstanding volunteers in UK Sport, heard a citation read by Sir Jimmy Hill which outlined some of his voluntary work in sport, particularly cricket, that had taken place for almost 30 years.

As part of the presentation, Brooksby, who was accompanied by his two sons, Luke and Veryan, was able to speak at length to other Trustees such as Lord and Lady Buckley, Trophy Trust Chairman Sir Roger Uttley, former England Cricket Captain Mike Denness as well as Alan Pascoe, the Vice-President of the winning 2012 Great Britain Olympic Bid Team.

Seventeen awards were recommended by the Trustees for 2006.

Brooksby was nominated by the Cricket Foundation for his outstanding voluntary work, particularly in bringing back competitive cricket to state schools via the “Chance to Shine” Initiative in 2006. This summer, he led a qualified team of committed cricket coaches from Illingworth Cricket Club which covered almost 4000 boys and girls who received over 350 hours of cricket during and after school hours. The Cricket Foundation recognised his skills, knowledge and understanding and invited him to become a member of the National Education Steering Group in Edgabaston.

Previously on a national stage, his leadership and management of a pilot scheme for the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Sport England establishing Physical Education School Club Links was very well received. He has been involved with promoting cricket in a large number of NatWest initiatives including designing and managing the Darren Gough National Cricket Clinic in 2002. He has coached County Schools cricketers at the winter nets at Headingley for the last 8 years and run ECB and YCCC Summer Schools for the last 10 years.

Locally he has been actively involved in Calderdale Schools Sports Association’s Cricket Section since 1982 as well as Calderdale Cricket Coaches Association. He led Illingworth Cricket Club to ClubMark status and ECB Focus Club status being one of the first in the county to achieve this national recognition for the quality provision of junior cricket. He now combines junior coaching at the Club as well as being a player / coach with the senior sides.

He carried HM The Queen’s Baton in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and followed that by completing the London Marathon raising £5000 for Ling Bob School playground developments, Illingworth CC pavilion extension and the National Asthma Campaign. His voluntary work was recognised at the ECB OSCAs in 2005 when he received an ‘Outstanding Services to Cricket Award’ and an ‘Outstanding Services to Yorkshire Cricket’ Award.

In 1985 he played a leading role in raising £20,000 to install floodlights at Halifax RUFC.

“The presentation was an amazing experience,” recalled Brooksby. “The Trustees were many famous British sportsmen and women and had considered what I had done. Then to hear Sir Jimmy Hill explaining some of this in detail to a packed auditorium was a shock but very proud moment. I was very surprised that they had so much detail. I am grateful to people who had submitted the nomination without me knowing. The Countess was a very charming Lady and to receive this special, historic trophy from her was an extremely memorable occasion and completed a wonderful experience!”

He is the Deputy Headteacher at Ling Bob Junior, Infant & Nursery School.