Mitcheson is man on a mission

Mitcheson, who plays for Sarisbury and leads the club’s coaching programme at adult and colts level, has set his sights on a career as a full-time cricket coach.

The 23-year-old, though, admitted his passion to better himself has not been without its drawbacks.

Mitcheson recently travelled Down Under for the winter to see what the Australian game could offer him on and off the field.

No sooner has he agreed to linking up with Melbourne-based side Park Dale, though, was he notified of his prestigious award and the opportunity to spend an afternoon alongside a stellar field of former players.

Mitcheson said: ‘It was a bit of a shock when I got the email.

‘To be awarded the best under-25 coach in Hampshire shows me I am doing all the right stuff and need to keep going that way in order to become a better one.

‘Playing and coaching in Australia this winter will be a new learning curve, which will hopefully improve my chances of becoming a full-time coach.

‘Its just a shame, though, as I was invited to go to Loughborough and learn from some really famous names.

‘But I can’t go, obviously, because I am in Australia.

‘I just thought: “You’re kidding me!”

‘I would have had a 45-minute coaching rotation session with Peter Such, Kevin Shine, Graham Thorpe and Chris Taylor – just a few names I wouldn’t have minded doing a bit of coaching with!’

– JEFF MARSHMAN