A TYNEDALE cricketer has made a big impression both on and off the pitch in his debut year as a professional.

Gareth Wade, who grew up playing as a junior at his home club of Stocksfield, was awarded the Community Award at his new club Northamptonshire at their end of season awards.

Wade has fitted straight in at the Steelbacks, and has been rewarded for inspiring people into cricket through community visits to schools, functions and the like.

He said: "I put myself forward for everything in the community as my aim is give as much back as possible.

"I remember having Aaron Hughes when he played for Newcastle United come to one of my junior club's presentations, and meeting him inspired me to want to be a sportsman so I could be in his position to inspire others.

"If I could give one child that inspiration similar to mine to play cricket, then that would be great as I want to encourage anybody to take up a sport and get active.

"The club has never had a new player like myself come in and win the community award before, so it's a big shock but a huge honour which I wasn't expecting."

Wade has fit in well with Northamptonshire with both fellow players and fans of the club.

And he described the thrill of being applauded whenever bowling or fielding by a supportive home crowd is still a surreal experience to him.

More exciting things are around the corner for the ex-Lanchester player as he will head to South Africa to play cricket between January and March.