Knappett signing is progress for Teddington (From Sutton Guardian)

Knappett signing is progress for Teddington

6:00am Monday 17th December 2012 in Sport

Teddington CC chairman Nigel Owen has insisted the appointment of Josh Knappett as director of youth cricket  on a job-share basis is a sign of progress.

Wicketkeeper and star batsman Knappett, who plundered 635 league runs for the Bushy Park club’s Middlesex County League Premier Division rivals Finchley last season, was unveiled this week with a brief to oversee all colts cricket and help their transition into adult cricket.
 

The 27-year-old, who will continue to play for the north London outfit in 2013, has a five-year first-class career at Worcestershire – featuring a first-class century – under his belt and is currently studying for his level four coaching qualification.
 

“Josh is an outstanding level three coach and will be looking to work with our existing coaches to improve their skills knowledge and qualifications,” said Owen.
 

“This will be a job-share – Josh is also retained by Middlesex CCC to work in their academy with one of their older age groups.
 

“Josh will do our winter coaching and will coach four evenings per week during the summer, but, because of his county commitments,  won’t be at Teddington on Sundays in the summer.
 

“We did consider long and hard whether we should appoint someone who could be there more of the time.
 

“But in the end we felt that the mixture of proven coaching excellence – including coaching adult managers – and the direct tie-in with Middlesex, outweighed the obvious advantages of someone more local.
 

“This is a massive step forward for not only youth cricket, but for Teddington cricket as a whole.”