mmg.com.au

Former Australian cricket star Brett Lee visited Cooma Cricket Club recently after one of its players won a national award.

Young A grade player Will Jackson was named the 2011-12 grass roots recognition award winner in a competition run by Weet-Bix, MyCricket and Cricket Australia for volunteers.

Jackson won the October monthly award — for which he received some cricket gear — and was then chosen out of the 11 other monthly winners to win the national award.

The prize for the win was the visit of former test player Lee to host a clinic at Cooma for the club’s senior and junior players on February 17.

Cooma A grade captain Brayden Stone said Lee spent about three hours with the players.

‘‘It was a very good day,’’ he said.

‘‘Brett spent a lot of time with the Future Stars kids. Also all the under 12s, 14s, 16s and senior players trained.

‘‘He did a lot of signing and a bit of coaching.

‘‘He let a few balls go to the seniors in the middle, which were pretty sharp.’’

Jackson said he had not been expecting anything in return for his efforts with the club.

‘‘I was pretty shocked to even be nominated for it,’’ he said.

The appearance of Lee was a great boost for the club and the community, the 21-year-old said.

‘‘The club was really buzzing when he came out,’’ he said.

‘‘Past and present members came out and had a look.

‘‘There was probably 300 people there, though we were trying to keep it within the club.’’

Jackson said the session was good for the development of the club, especially the juniors.

‘‘I think the kids get the most out of it, getting to play around with an Australian cricketing legend,’’ he said.

‘‘It was great for him to come out and share his knowledge and experience with the club.

‘‘Everyone got a lot out of it.’’

Jackson won the award after performing many roles for the club, despite living in Ballarat for university, where he is in his second year studying to become a PE teacher.

His achievements included:

■co-ordinating the Cooma Future Stars weekly program for children aged five to 10;

■sought new sponsors for the club;

■organised new playing attire for the whole club;

■ran the bar; and

■played all season in A grade.