Barnsley U3A’s Mac McKechnie has been awarded 'The Most Inspiring and Diverse Cricket Offer 2019’ by Yorkshire County Cricket Board.
Mac was presented with the award at a ceremony in Yorkshire’s home of cricket, Headingly.
Mac has spent nearly a year, tirelessly promoting walking cricket as a sport and helping raise the profile of U3A. This week he met with Richard Hill, MBE, the ECB (English Cricket Board’s) Disability and Community lead.
Mac, a member of Barnsley U3A and national subject advisor for walking cricket, said, "For me, more important than the award, was the fact that the mainstream cricket world, certainly in Yorkshire and Humberside, has accepted Walking Cricket as a sport, and endorsed its existence as a credible part of the cricket world for the first time".
Walking cricket is a more relaxed version of the traditional game. The players use plastic bats, a softer ball and walk rather than run. It enables third agers to continue playing the game they love.
As a result of his award, Mac has been invited to the famous Lord's cricket ground on 14 October for the NatWest-sponsored ‘ECB National Finals of Outstanding Services to Cricket’ awards.
Mac said, "I am excited at this opportunity to raise the profile of U3A further but I have no expectation of winning anything. I would never say no to a guided tour of Lord’s, a three course meal, and mingling with some of the cricket elite that the country has at the moment for a day".
For more information about walking cricket or for help setting up a U3A walking cricket group of your own, visit https://www.u3a.org.uk/resources/subjects/464-walking-cricket-2