A special presentation has been made by Grange to former Scotland cricketer John Blain as he moves on from providing over a decade’s service as a coach to all levels of the club.
Blain, 46, has now taken up a post as Director of Cricket at Edinburgh Academy and leaves with the best wishes of Grange to the extent they commissioned a special portrait photograph of him by another Scotland cricketer, Dylan Budge, to hang in the clubhouse.
Grange president Rawdon Hesketh said: “There is probably no better compliment to John than to say he leaves a very large footprint. Grange Cricket Club has certainly grown and developed under his leadership over the past 11 years.
“As a measure of his coaching and development skills in one match this season we counted eight players in the 1st X1 who had come through the junior system – never mind ex-Grange juniors playing for other clubs.
“There are many boys and girls at all levels who have benefitted from John’s words of wisdom; ‘stick to the basics, it’s a simple game’.”
A stalwart of two Scottish World Cup campaigns who also played for Northamptonshire and Yorkshire after starting out at Penicuik, John said:
“Honoured in the most humbling manner. It truly means a lot. Grange has been a hugely significant part of my life.
“Success isn’t just what you accomplish—it’s what you inspire others to do (by) building a culture, developing players, and helping populate cricket in Scotland at all levels.”
Welcoming their new arrival on social media, Edinburgh Academy said:
“With over two decades of experience in international and first class cricket as both player and coach John brings an exceptional depth of knowledge.
“An ECB level 4 coach he has most recently made a huge impact on Grange, nurturing talent across all age groups.”
