Shropshire cricket coach Caine receives accolade from Shane Warne

A Shropshire cricket coach has been rewarded for his outstanding contribution to grassroots cricket.

Bridgnorth Cricket Club’s Steven Caine was presented with a special certificate recognising his work by Australia spin legend Shane Warne.

The presentation took place during England’s second Test with South Africa at Headingley.

Caine was given the exclusive opportunity to attend the Test as part of the Sky Sports ECB Coach Education programme. Fifteen coaches met with Sky Sports commentator Warne, all of whom were being acknowledged by the programme’s ‘Reward and Recognition’ scheme.

More than 100 coaches from across the country will be recognised during the 2012 season, all of whom have been voted to receive the reward by their county’s fellow cricket coaches.

The scheme comprises of a series of on-pitch presentations throughout the summer by various cricket legends and the Sky Sports broadcast team.

Caine has been coaching for 28 years and has held almost every position at the club.

He currently coaches the under-11 team and coordinates coaching sessions for 120 boys and girls.

In recent years he has played a pivotal role in coaching the county under-15s team.

He said: “Since the Sky Sports ECB Coach Education scheme began there has been a definite increase in the amount of coaching sessions and workshops available for our coaches to go on and learn from.

“This obviously has an impact on our club and has helped progress the next generation.”

The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme aims to attract and train coaches at all levels of cricket.

Since the beginning of BSkyB’s sponsorship in 2006, more than 45,000 coaches have gone through the scheme.