Read is the right choice at Repton
EX-NOTTS KEEPER IN NEW ROLE AT SCHOOL
REPTON School have named former Nottinghamshire and England wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Read as their director of cricket.
He took up the full-time appointment at the beginning of the current term, having retiring from the professional game in 2017, and will direct all aspects of the school’s cricket programme, including coaching the first 11.
The 40-year-old spent 20 seasons at Trent Bridge and left as one of the most highly-respected figures in the first-class game.
By popular consent, he deserved to have played more than 15 Tests and 36 one-day internationals for England but the national team’s loss was certainly Nottinghamshire’s gain.
He bowed out with 1,104 firstclass dismissals to his name, plus a further 479 in one-day cricket, and was a thoroughly effective batsman as well.
Read scored 16,361 first-class runs at an average of 37.26 and his last game at the crease said so much about the character of the man.
With his team in deep trouble in a game they could not afford to lose, with promotion to Division One on the line, Read dug deep for a century to hold off Sussex at Hove and ensure the draw Notts needed.
Ian Pollock, director of sport at Repton School, saidd: “The appointment of Chris Read shows a genuine drive at Repton School to be competing with the very best cricket schools in the UK.
“The benefit to our aspiring cricketers of learning from someone who has played against the major Testplaying nations as well as winning every domestic honour is significant and this will only add to the considerable cricket legacy we have at Repton.
“His knowledge, skills and personality will add considerable value to our sports department and what we provide for our pupils.”
Read added, “‘I am very much looking forward to inspiring the next generation of cricketers at Repton.
“I have been very impressed by the quality of the sporting programme at the school and I hope to be able to offer my experience and expertise to develop players of all ages, genders and abilities and forge a lifelong love of cricket.”
Repton have recently signalled their sporting ambition by making a major investment in the redeveloped sports centre, which includes a second sports hall, strength and conditioning gym, a team room, cafe, squash courts, changing rooms and hospitality space.