Photo Credit: ECB
Lauren Filer grew up dreaming of playing at the famous Taunton venue as a young girl from the region.
England Women’s fast bowler Lauren Filer felt humbled to be able to coach a group of 40 children at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton during the Pakistan series last month.
Filer grew up dreaming of playing at the famous Taunton venue as a young girl from the region.
The training session took place on the outfield the day before the Metro Bank Women’s ODI and Filer admitted she was pinching herself at being able to stand in front of the next generation at a venue that holds so many memories.
“It was amazing really not only to be able to coach the kids but to do it on a ground that means so much to me,” said Filer, who was joined by England team-mate Tammy Beaumont and Pakistan players Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana and Sadaf Shamas.
“Credit to Somerset and everyone who organised the event for making that happen. It was a really special day for the kids which I know will stay with them forever.
“For me it’s quite humbling really to be able to do that and reminds you what an amazing platform you have as an England player. We trained for over and hour and signed autographs alongside Tammy and the Pakistani players. It was just a really cool day.”
The session was completely free and organised between Somerset Cricket Foundation, Somerset County Cricket Club, the ECB and PCB.
Somerset Cricket Foundation Managing Director, Jon Bendle, said: “It was fantastic to deliver this event in partnership with the club and the elite players from both international teams.
“We regularly talk about inspiring the next generation of cricketers, so to be able to hist this calibre of event for the young people of Somerset truly does provide that inspiration and ignites the passion for cricket in our young people. The players were amazing with the children, providing lifelong memories of their time on the outfield of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
“A special mention for Amber Casserly, Somerset Cricket Foundation Women’s and Girls Lead, for heading up the logistics with the great support from the female coaches from around the cricket network here in Somerset.”
Somerset County Cricket Cricket Media and Community Executive, Spencer Bishop, said: “Enormous thanks has to go to the England and Pakistan teams and also to the Somerset Cricket Foundation for making the vision that we all had for the event become reality.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the players and everyone who was involved in planning and staging the event. To see so many young people getting the chance to train with their idols at the home of cricket in Somerset County Cricket Club was something very special.”
