TAUNTON Cricket Club's Emily Vickery has won the Schools Coach of the Year at the Chance to Shine Awards on Thursday 25 November.

Emily delivered over 650 hours of coaching in the last school year working across North West Somerset.

24-year-old Emily is a Community Coach for Somerset Cricket Foundation and played a key role in supporting the foundation’s response to Covid-19.

"It makes me so happy to see [the children] engaged and enjoying themselves and for some of them I know this is probably the first time they’ve engaged with PE and that’s a really proud feeling for me to have." said Emily.

Emily was recognised by national charity, Chance to Shine, during an awards evening hosted by BBC’s Aatif Nawaz at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Emily received her award from Chance to Shine ambassador and Oval Invincibles and Southern Vipers cricketers Georgia Adams.

The judging panel were impressed by Emily’s ability to quickly adapt to the challenges that Covid-19 posed to schools and young people.

Her creativity ensured that children across Somerset were given the chance to take part in physical activity at a time when opportunities were lacking, and teachers were supported to develop their own knowledge of the game.

Chance to Shine chief executive, Laura Cordingley commended Emily: "Emily has played a vital role in helping young people to get active through cricket and to develop in so many different ways."