Andy Fairbain on way up the M5

 Somerset Cricket Board has just announced the appointment of Devon’s Cricket Development Officer, Andy Fairbairn, as their new Cricket Development Manager, and he is expected to take up his role at the County Ground before the end of March. Twenty nine year old Andy was originally from Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk before graduating from Exeter University in Business and Management.

 He currently works at the Devon Cricket Centre being responsible for a number of projects including the One to One programme, Devon’s Social Networking sites, Website Advertising and Sponsorship, the Lady Taverners Competitions and the huge Chance to Shine programme. He has a wealth of qualifications and experience in youth cricket, having used his ECB Level 3 Coach award as a County Age Group Coach with initially the under 13s and and more recently the under 15s with whom he has toured South Africa as well as working with the Exeter University squad and on Devon’s Emerging Players Programme. His Devon club playing experience has been at Bovey Tracey C.C whom he has coached. He has been an integral member of the DCB Coach Education programme and will be missed by the county on a number of fronts.

 Somerset Cricket Board Chairman Andy Curtis commented ‘We had more than sixty applicants for this post. Having interviewed a shortlist of four good candidates we were won over by Andy’s enthusiasm and vision for recreational cricket. We are confident that he will provide fresh impetus to the Board’s work in developing Somerset club cricket generally. He has an excellent range of business and managerial skills allied to a solid cricketing background.

 The Devon Cricket Board, although disappointed to lose someone of Andy's calibre, are delighted for him as he takes the next step up his career ladder. He will be leaving his adopted county with their sincere thanks for all he has achieved and the Boards very best wishes. Devon League administrator, Geoff Coish voiced the view of many in writing - On behalf of the Devon Cricket League may I wish Andy every success in his future position. His help to the DCL over the past years has been unsurpassed.