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Thursday, 11 August 2011
Glen Chapple took time out from
captaining Lancashire to visit Bolton School and offer his coaching
tips, enthusiasm and wisdom to boys and girls taking part in the
Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy.
The 37 year old former England
international all-rounder paid a flying visit to the School and was
quickly in the nets dispensing batting and bowling tips to the
youngsters. The children all had the chance to try and bowl him out
and some of them even managed it! He then held a questions and
answers session before signing autographs.
Glen's visit was part of a
one-week Cricket Academy at the School, giving around 90 local boys
and girls, aged 5-16 and of all levels of ability, a fantastic
opportunity to learn cricket the Andrew Flintoff way. The week is
one of several academies taking place across the UK.
"Freddie" has had real input into the week-long course, which
is made up of lots of cricket, Freddie Challenges, swimming
sessions and mini-tournaments, with a number of prizes and awards
being given out. The aim of the academies is to inspire an
early interest in cricket.
Academy Manager Rupes Kitzinger
said: "We are really pleased to be back at Bolton School for the
fourth Summer Academy. We now hold 65 academies and Bolton School
was one of the first six we set up so it's a special venue as we
have been here from the start. We have a great affinity with the
school and there is always a really good buzz when we come here.
It's great to see so many kids having fun and benefiting from the
coaching and fantastic facilities. A highlight of their week is the
visit from Glen -I know they are all looking forward to meeting him
and trying to bowl him out!"
A Year 5 pupil at the School
said: "I am having a great time this week I liked cricket anyway
but now I like it even more and I've learned lots of new things. I
didn't manage to bowl Glen out but my friend did!"
Glen represented the national
team in a One Day International, as
well as performing well for Lancashire over many years.
He was appointed as Lancashire's captain for the 2009 season and
continues in the role into 2011. His most notable achievements
include winning the Gold Award for his 6/18 in the 1996 Natwest
Trophy final against Essex at Lords, and sharing the record for
fastest ever first-class century; which he scored against Glamorgan
at Old Trafford in 1993 from just 27 balls and 21 minutes. In 2006,
he became only the tenth player to achieve the 5,000 run and 500
wicket first-class double for Lancashire.
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