OLD Down’s John Peplow has been named Volunteer of the Year at the Chance to Shine Annual Awards.

Peplow received his trophy from England Women’s international Tammy Beaumont at the star-studded ceremony at the Kia Oval.

The awards recognise the outstanding work of clubs, volunteers and cricket boards in support of the Cricket Foundation charity’s campaign to keep the game alive in state schools.

Former PE teacher Peplow received the volunteer award for his work on the Old Down Chance to Shine project, which is run across four schools in the South Gloucestershire area.

As well as growing his club’s junior section, Peplow was singled out for a number of innovations, including creating questionnaires for both pupils and teachers to fill in to monitor the quality of the coaching sessions delivered.

He said: “It was a big shock to win – it was nice just to be nominated.

"It was a great evening and it was nice to be able to feel you are part of something and to share experiences with other people about what has been successful for them.

“The questionnaires went down really well and raised some really interesting points for our coaches to help them ensure we deliver the best sessions possible.”

Peplow has also helped other local clubs follow in Old Down’s footsteps by sharing his experience of how to run a successful Chance to Shine scheme.

He has advised Coalpit Heath and also gave a presentation to clubs at the Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s annual Chance to Shine meeting.

There was more success for Gloucestershire when the Cotswold East scheme – run by David Taylor from Fairford – scooped the Project of Year prize for the second time in three years from ex-England Test star Devon Malcolm.

The scheme – which has been running for four years – has helped increase the number of junior players at a host of local clubs including Fairford, Lechlade, Poulton and South Cerney.

Taylor said: “I didn’t think there was any chance we would win again so it came as a real surprise. The project has continued to grow year on year and it always nice to be recognised for the work that you put in.

“I think our biggest success has been getting players from schools to clubs.

"Fairford has 136 juniors from virtually nothing a few years ago. I know at other local clubs like Lechlade they have seen good numbers joining as a result of the sessions that have been delivered in schools.

“One of the other nice things has been to see players we coached in schools four years ago now who are now 15, start to help out at the club to bring the next group of young players through.”

The ceremony was presented by BBC Test Match Special commentator Alison Mitchell and England and Yorkshire batsman Jonny Bairstow was among the big names lending his support to the charity.

GCB projects and programmes manager Chris Munden – who oversees Gloucestershire’s Chance to Shine programme – said: “It was a wonderful evening and to have two of the main awards go to people from Gloucestershire was fantastic.

“John and David are both fantastic examples of what a well-run Chance to Shine programme can achieve. The number of children that now play at clubs as a result of their projects is testament to the hard work, professionalism and organisation that they have put in.

“David’s dedication to grow cricket not just at his own club but at others nearby is wonderful to see while John’s experience as a teacher has been invaluable in helping us review and improve the coaching we can offer to our schools.”