Students Salute Their New Colonel

Students Salute Their New Colonel

Phill Mustard batting against Yorkshire in 2009

©Action Images

Venue Riverside Sports Pavilion, Chester Le Street

In a widely anticipated announcement the Durham and England star cricketer Phil Mustard was today confirmed as Northern Universities Student Club Community Cricketers Elite new batting coach for 2009/2010 season.

Phil, who recently won his second LV County Championship with Durham CCC, joined the club in November 1 to work along side Melvyn Betts, Ronald Boyd and Ash Patel creating a stunning coaching team for the charity fundraising cricketers.

The spectacular signing which has been funded by Guy Hilton and Hilton Newcastle Gateshead was secured for NUSC by former Mayor of Durham Dr Grenville Holland.  The seeds of the signing were sown back in June when Phil generously hosted a masterclass with Ronald Boyd for the students.  Such was their feedback the Club President decided to test the water with a long term arrangement finding, much to everyone’s delight the interest was mutual.  Dr Holland added “Phil instantly accepted my offer which was the one sign of his commitment I wanted.  When we review just how impressive his coaching has been, how he has gelled with the players and brought the best out of them I know that signing Phil is one of the best decisions NUSC has ever made”

Indeed there was a double celebration for the former Mayor after getting his man in Mustard, he was also able to confirm that his fundraising efforts along with wife Olive had smashed through the £36,500 barrier thanks to a late donation from the British Fire Services Cricket Team.  The former Mayor was honoured that over 6% of his total sum had come from the students at NUSC making them one of the appeals largest private donators.  The money raised has been divided into two charities with over £33,500 having already gone to the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted with £2,500 going to the Boys Club of Great Britain from the Mayor’s boxing evening.

To follow the progress of Phil’s new charges throughout 2009, log onto www.nusc-ccelite.play-cricket.com or visit www.cricketworld.com/nuscccelite.  For any budding wicket keeping in the region, Phil is hosting a six week masterclass starting in January.  To find out more information or to book a place please contact Durham Cricket Board.

Contact Detail
John D Holland Director of Cricket, NUSC-CC Elite nusc-ccelite@o2.co.uk