THIRTY cricket coaches from the region attended the first Cricket Coaching Master Class run by Durham Sport in conjunction with the Durham Cricket Board and the Durham Coaches Association.

The session was held last week at Roseberry Community Sports College, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street.

This Coaching Master Class was run as one of a series of four classes, running over the summer, designed to develop standards of cricket coaching across County Durham.

This first Master Class gave coaches the opportunity to benefit from expert theoretical and practical advice and demonstration from Gordon Lord, Coach Education Manager for the ECB Coaches Association.

There was also an opportunity to hold a question and answer forum led by Gordon, Durham Couny coach Martyn Moxon and Durham paceman Neil Killeen. This forum gave coaches the rare chance to quiz professional coaches and players on their achievements, both past and present, as well as picking up some useful coaching advice.

Graeme Weekes, Cricket Development Officer for the Durham Cricket Board said: "The level of interest created by this Master Class just shows the potential there is for running this type of event. Opportunities for coaches to meet professionals is rare and this series of Master Classes proves the commitment Durham Sport, the Durham Cricket Board and the Durham Coaches Association have to improving the standard of cricket coaching within the region."