Penryn College has earned two Cornwall Cricket Board awards for going above and beyond in delivering cricket to its students, writes Joe Angove.
In a recent presentation, the College was named as the 2022 Cornwall Cricket Grassroots School of the Year, and PE Teacher, Cameron Bidgood, picked up the Cornwall Cricket Grassroots Teacher of the Year Award.
The Grassroots School of the Year Award recognises schools that are committed to driving cricket across all areas of the curriculum in lesson time, after-school activity, external fixtures and competition entry.
And the Grassroots Teacher of the Year Award celebrates teachers that have made a major impact on their school’s cricket across all age groups and genders, going above and beyond normal timetabled lessons to improve standards and offers of cricket available.
Cornwall Cricket’s Chief Cricket Officer, Joe Skinner, was on hand to present the awards to staff and students, and was full of praise for the school’s efforts in delivering cricket to its pupils.
“You can have the best facilities in a school - and this school’s got some great facilities - but without the teachers, or the philosophy within the teaching group, you wouldn’t get that enthusiasm running through the whole school,” said Mr Skinner.
“So, you’ve got to have someone like Richard Tucker [Director of Community and Lifestyle at Penryn College] with the philosophy and vision - and that’s got to be backed by the school - then that’s got to be backed by the teachers.”
Indeed, the results of Penryn College’s philosophy and vision are clear to see, with more than 70 students attending after-school cricket clubs on a weekly basis. In turn, this participation has led to tournament victories, pupils joining local cricket teams, and some individuals representing the county.
One of the teachers who has played a part in this success is award winner, Mr Bidgood, who reflected on the place cricket now has in Penryn College's curriculum.
“When I first started at Penryn College, one of my desired goals was to get all students across all year groups to enjoy playing cricket, and I believe that now - going into my third year - this has well and truly been accomplished,” said Mr Bidgood.
“Cricket has been fully embedded into the curriculum and all members of the PE department are delivering cricket to their groups. This has had a phenomenal impact on all of our students, with most of them wanting to play cricket in the summer term.”
And Cornwall Cricket’s Joe Skinner concluded his thoughts by reflecting on the impact that coaches and teachers like Mr Bidgood can have on young people.
“The enthusiastic adult, whether it be a teacher or a coach, inspires people to want to play cricket. If that person, like Mr Bidgood, has got that enthusiasm and that smile, then it’ll go through the group in a positive sense.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here