Adam Collin, Carlisle United's Goalkeeper, has swapped goalkeeping gloves for batting gloves and is helping to deliver cricket sessions in five primary schools around the Eden District in Cumbria. Alongside being an integral part of Carlisle United's team he is a level 2 cricket coach and plays cricket for Nunwick Cricket Club.

He is coaching as part of Chance to Shine, the nationwide campaign delivered throughout Cumbria by Cumbria Cricket, that aims to bring cricket and its educational opportunities to two million children in state schools throughout the country.

Speaking about his work as a cricket coach, Adam said, "This was the first year we have done any coaching like this in local schools, the Chance to Shine programme has been excellent as it has help us provide a excellent level of coaching with extra kit and equipment that the kids have really enjoyed using and they have really enjoyed all the different coaching drills and games we have put on."

"As a professional footballer myself I know how important it is as a young child to get as much coaching and the best quality of coaching available, and with the Chance to Shine programme we as coaches can deliver this into schools and the kids and teachers have really embraced it."

"I was amazed to see the levels of improvement in all the children who took part from when they started the course and when they finished, the feedback of the kids and teachers was excellent."

Bob Simpson, Director of Cricket Development at Cumbria Cricket, commented, "Chance to Shine really does make a difference and can be used in urban and rural areas to introduce children to cricket. Through a structured delivery model, that provides teachers with training to deliver Cricket, children with the skills to play the game with fun at the heart of delivery, and the Clubs with new junior players. Nunwick CC has delivered this on behalf of Cumbria Cricket and has been rewarded with an influx of new players. CC Ltd will be looking to develop and expand this club delivery model in 2013."

Ian Brown from Nunwick Cricket Club said, "Nunwick CC were very proud to support Cumbria Cricket Ltd in by delivering the Chance to Shine scheme into a number of local schools both as part of the curriculum and after school clubs. This has raised the clubs profile in the local area, emphasising to both the children and their parents that the club aspires to the highest standards and delivers them. From these sessions a number of children then attended our coaching evenings at the club."