Presentation night underlines club commitment to stars of the future

Barton Cricket Club have celebrated a 'rejuvenated' youth section at their annual colts' presentation night.
The Torquay-based club, who thanked sponsors including Pro-Direct and Bedrock Business Finance for their continuing support, made sure their youngsters had plenty of competitive games at under 12s, 13s and 16s despite there being no league competition.
The club even took part in some soft-ball competitions which was a first for the club.
Fixture secretary Mark Lipton was thanked. So, too, was head coach Matt Lipton and all the other coaches and helpers, including Steve Wales with Chris Ward (Dynamos duo), Adam Parker, Tom Porter (All Stars angels), Chris Penners, Greg Shelton and Andy Meredith to name but a few as well as 'volunteer' parents.
Cricket manager Jim Parker made special mention of coach Chris Ward who has only been at the club for a short while.
He has played a leading role in transforming the youth section with up to 60 youngsters now attending club nights on Fridays during the summer.
Parker also revealed that some parents are now becoming coaches.
He said: "The club is a great believer in investing in its youth section. The future of the club looks great. With the All Stars, Dynamos and senior colts, youngsters are the future.
We just need a ladies and girls team now."
Barton, through club captain Adam Parker, now has coaches in primary and secondary schools.
Working with new partners Torquay Academy, the club has been delivering an after school club and running a winter school/academy.
Jim Parker said: "We are building for the future. Youngsters are developing and playing leading roles in the first and second team."
He said they are also getting recognised at county level with Devanshu Sinha, Riley Calland, Toby Ward and Ollie Payne in county development squads and former colt of the year Fin Last in the full under 18 county squad with links to the Somerset Academy.
Parker also paid tribute to and thanked Barton's small army of volunteers.
"Most importantly, families are back at Barton CC," he said.
Merit certificates were presented by Chris Ward to all the youngsters at the presentation night in the Barton clubhouse.
Newcomer to Cricket awards - for those who have showed great promise as they learn the game - were presented by Adam Parker to Louie Edwards, Emily Penner, Isla Cresswell, Florence Ryder, Arthur Gaughan, Henry Woods and Oscar Abraham.
Most improved player awards went to Skyler Barrington-Packer, Rowan McCabe, Logan Payne, Neave Parker, Hugo Porter, Finn Cull, Isaac Walters, Ed Leigh and Thomas Bowden.
Main awards went to Devanshu Sinha (Tormohun Lodge), Logan Hammercott (Abe Stringer Award), Ben Hales (Barton Surgery Shield), Joe Taylor (President's Clubman), Thomas Cox (Mike Cribbett Award), Riley Calland (Craig Lardner Shield), Oscar Belso (President's Colt of the Year), Oliver Shelton (Most Improved Colt of the Year)
The overall Colt of the Year went to Harry Shelton who broke into first team cricket this summer.
Jim Parker said: "Harry fully deserved the award. It was great to see him taking wickets in the first team. Special mention to Fin Last who was a colt last year but has quickly established himself as a regular and important member of the first team as well as gaining a place in the county under-18 squad. He is a great example of the success hard work can yield."

New players at all ages and levels are welcome at the club. Email torquayjim@gmail.com for details