ROWLEDGE and Surrey player Danielle Gregory became the youngest Level 2 coach in the country after qualifying on her 18th birthday.

She undertook the Level 2 course along with 11 clubmates from Rowledge CC aged 17 and completed all elements well before she turned 18. However, due to the nature of the qualification, she had to wait until her birthday to formally qualify as a coach. This finally happened last weekend.

Danielle began her cricketing journey as a 10-year-old at Rowledge Cricket Club. At 13, she was selected for the Surrey County girls squad and has played through the age groups before becoming a member of the full Surrey ladies squad.

Coaching runs in the family and, since qualifying, she has been assisting her father, Neil Gregory, who coaches on Surrey’s Pride of Lions coaching programme, gaining valuable experience ahead of gaining her qualification.

Her brother, Ryan, is also a Level 2 coach who assists on the Pride of Lions programme around his university studies.

Danielle said: “Having been inspired by the success of the England women’s squad, my aim is to play and coach at the highest level I can. It would be an achievement to act as a role model to inspire the next generation of female cricketers.”

Simon Hards, operations manager at the Surrey Cricket Foundation, added: “Danielle has shown just what can be achieved if you put your mind to it. I’m sure Danielle will act as a great role model to young female players all over the county and we look forward to welcoming more female coaches onto our coach education programme in the future as a result.”

Anyone wishing to follow Danielle’s lead and gain a formal qualification as a coach should contact the Surrey Cricket Foundation by emailing Elizabeth Sleet at coacheducation@ surreycricket.com