TEENAGER Alex Townsend has been presented with a certificate by the English Cricket Board in recognition of his services to Newent CC.

Alex joined the club at 11 and began volunteering for all kinds of jobs straight away.

He has now racked up 100 voluntary hours of service in the vCricket scheme run by the ECB.

On top of that, he has completed level one coaching and umpiring courses.

Alex has been unable to umpire in a match this season because of A Levels, but he regularly puts his skills to good use by helping to coach the club's under-13s.

Morgan Evans, Newent's youth coordinator, said: "Alex is always the first to get involved in any new initiative within the club and he's a great help with the youngsters."

Another Newent youngster Ollie Beale has gained his 25 hours certificate by helping to coach the under-11s on Friday evenings.

Polly Griffiths has also been awarded her 25 hours certificate.

Polly plays a pivotal role within the girls' section of the club. She regularly coaches the girls on Friday evenings as well as playing for the men's third team and Gloucestershire's under-17 girls.

She is keen to complete her level one coaching award in the close season.

NEWENT CC will be hosting a number of youth county fixtures in July and August.

Devon come to Three Ashes on Thursday July 28 for a county under-15s game (11am start), while Warwickshire under-16s will play a one-day game against Gloucestershire at Newent on August 1.

On August 10 and 11 Gloucestershire face Devon in a two day game at Three Ashes.

Newent player James Lifely is hoping to play on home soil for Gloucestershire under-13s against Hampshire on August 18.