17 Dec 2014 | Cricket
Earlier this year the Tom Maynard Trust established the TMGM Bursary to provide support for one Academy player at each of the two counties Tom played for, Glamorgan and Surrey with support from Gunn & Moore.
For each of the next three years, Gunn & Moore is providing cricket equipment for one player identified by the two counties concerned, supporting them with bats, pads gloves and helmets for the first two years they spend on their respective academy programmes.
The first two recipients have been confirmed as Chris Matthews and Hannah Jones, nominated by Glamorgan and Surrey respectively. They will be supported by Gunn and Moore for the next two years.
Glamorgan's Chris Matthews is an Under-14 wicket keeper/batsman who is entering the Glamorgan Academy this winter. Attached to Tondu Cricket Club since the age of six, he has played for Wales at every level since the age of ten - indeed he has not missed an age group match since 2011 - and scored well over 500 runs for the Under-14s this summer, including two centuries (119* v Dorset & 113* v Wiltshire) and two scores in the 90s. Welsh cricketer of the month for June, he also made his Academy debut against Middlesex in 2014.
On behalf of the Tom Maynard Trust, Mike Fatkin said:
This is a fantastic initiative on the part of Gunn & Moore, and it's lovely to have something in Tom's name which is based on the two counties he played for. Both Glamorgan and Surrey have been really supportive and we're grateful for that. One of our main objects as a charity is to provide assistance where it is most needed for youngsters making their way in sport and this sort of help is targeted exactly where it is needed.
Peter Wright, Managing Director of Gunn & Moore, said:
Having had close relationships with Tom and, before him, his father Matthew, we were really keen to be involved in the work of the Tom Maynard Trust and this new TMGM Bursary is a great way for us to commemorate Tom's name and offer really practical support to young players in the process. We welcome Chris and Hannah to the GM family and we look forward to working with them as they take their next few steps on the performance ladder.
SURREY - Hannah Jones, b 21/7/99
Hannah is a top order batter and off spin bowler currently an Under-16 but is regarded as one of Surrey's high potential players within their development programme. She is on her second year within the England Women's Development Programme Under-19 squad, and made her senior women's debut for Surrey in 2013 as a 14-year-old. She has a strong association with Normandy Cricket Club in the Surrey Championship and has played in boys' Colts cricket for the club from a young age.