Local schools welcome cricket legend

16 September 2015

Students in Manchester were bowled over when former England cricket captain Alec Stewart paid a visit to Droylsden Academy and Mossley Hollins High School earlier this week.

The well-known batsman, who remains the most capped English Test match cricketer of all time, joined around 75 cricketing hopefuls at the schools, in an afternoon of coaching lessons. This was followed by a short cricket tournament at each school, where pupils got to play alongside the cricket legend.

Later in the day, Alec, who acts as a Yorkshire Bank ambassador, answered questions from students at Mossley Hollins High School on his own career highlights, while providing advice on becoming a professional sportsperson. Pupils at Droylsden Academy were also presented a signed cricket bat and given the opportunity to have photos taken with Alec.

Drew Duncan, Executive Headteacher, Droylsden Academy & Mossley Hollins High School, said:

“It was a real privilege for the junior cricketers at the schools to have the opportunity to work with Alec. His reputation as a player and as a coach precedes him. The students were thrilled to be able to train with him.” Ian Hardman, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Preston, said:

“Alec’s career is a perfect demonstration of what can be achieved by commitment to practice, dedication and teamwork, qualities which should resonate with, and inspire, both the next generation of Manchester’s sportsmen and women.” Alec undertook the visits to the schools are part of his role as a Yorkshire Bank ambassador.