On the eve of 2003 Somerset County Cricket Club received another boost when they heard that they have the two best qualified cricket coaches in the country.

Kevin Shine and his assistant Mark Garaway who recently completed the first ever ECB level 4 coaching course have just heard that they have come out as the top two in the group.

For the past thirty months Kevin Shine and Mark Garaway have been attending the ground breaking course amounting to fifty days in total, in addition to carrying out their normal workload.

Earlier this week the Somerset head coach told me: "This was the pilot course and it's been tough covering twelve different modules and a massive time constraint. We were both lucky enough to be selected to take part in this and once we were, we were determined to stick with it."

He continued: "The course was not just about batting and bowling but covered all aspects of life. It is really all about giving the players different options. There isn't just one way because it's all about what is best for the player and the club."

"Now it's our job now to spread the word and hopefully the players at Somerset and English cricket will feel the benefit of this course and help the E.C.B. achieve their aim which is to become the top cricket playing nation by 2007."

Chief executive Peter Anderson said: "It is very satisfying to know that we have the top two qualified coaches in the country, and I'm sure that this will enhance our chances of making sure that the most talented young players get the best possible coaching and hopefully develop into top class players."

© SOMERSET