Lawson is new Leeds/Bradford coach

Date released: 25 September 2009

Andrew Lawson has become Head Coach of Leeds/Bradford MCC University Centre of Cricketing Excellence. He succeeds Richard Horner, who had been in post since the creation of the Centre in 2000.

Lawson will have a wide remit in his new position. As Head Coach, he will shape the coaching and playing programme of the UCCE squad, who compete in the MCC Universities Championship and against the first-class counties.

In addition, he will be responsible for recruiting talented cricketers to one of the four academic institutions that make up the Centre.

Leeds/Bradford head coach Andrew Lawson Speaking from his base at Weetwood, part of the University of Leeds playing facility, he said: "I’m immensely excited by the challenge of becoming the Head Coach of Leeds/Bradford MCC University.

"The professionalism of the MCC Universities scheme has greatly impressed me from the outside. Now on the inside, it’s up to me to persuade talented, young players to come and join us, and to see how we can help develop them into professional cricketers while they continue their studies.

"I hope to make the difference for many of these guys and build on Richard’s impressive track record."

Lawson in action on the pitch John Stephenson, Assistant Secretary of MCC, who fund the MCC Universities, said: "MCC underpins university cricket in this country because it is passionate about producing excellent cricketers within an academic framework and believes that playing and studying can go together hand-in-hand.

"Andrew brings a passion for the game and a positive outlook that will add great value to the MCC Universities scheme.

"He has a big role to play in the years to come in both the development of cricketers and the Leeds/Bradford centre and I look forward to working with him."

Lawson (far right) coached the Netherlands team that shocked England in the ICC World T20 Dr Sue Jacklin, an Assistant Director at the University of Leeds, who oversaw the appointment, said: "Recruiting Andrew was a unanimous decision by the board; his coaching experience reflects his wide-ranging commitment to cricket at all ages and standards, from the grass roots to the international stage.

"We believe he’ll be a tremendous asset to the students at Leeds / Bradford UCCE."

Andrew Lawson factfile:

• Born 4th March, 1967, South Africa
• Educated in Johannesburg
• 1990-1997: Represented Border, Eastern Province and North West Province, playing 63 first-class games and 39 one day matches
• 1992: Elected to MCC Membership, and has since represented the Club in numerous matches and an overseas tour to Denmark in 2000
• 1994: Selected to play for the SA President team vs Australia
• 1996-2004: Professional player and coach at a variety of South African and UK cricket clubs, including Potchefstroom University (SA) and Lurgan CC (Northern Ireland)
• 2003-2004: Head Coach of the North West Provincial side in SA
• 2004-2007: Sports Development Officer, Highland Perthshire Sports Trust
• 2006: Assistant coach to the Scotland U19’s at the World Cup in Sri Lanka
• 2007: Assistant coach to Scotland at the ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies
• 2007-2009: Cricket Development Officer, Perth & Kinross Council
• 2009: Assistant coach to the Netherlands at the ICC World Twenty20