A CRICKET coach has battled back from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to launch an academy to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

Ingram Jones, 33, who has been coaching at Little Marlow Cricket Club for three years, has set up the academy at Booker Hill Primary School in Field Road, High Wycombe.

Some of his fledgling cricketers will now feature in a film to be shown on The Community Channel on Sky and Freeview.

Mr Jones, an ECB qualified coach, said his passion for cricket and getting more youngsters playing helped to motivate when he was suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as Bucks New University student in 2005.

Mr Jones suffered with the illness for three years.

The mysterious condition, also referred to as M.E, is believed to affect the immune system and causes extreme fatigue but the cause is unknown.

He said: “The illness got really bad, I was doing a sports degree, I would get up in the morning to go to college but I couldn't remember what I was doing it class, it was this cloudy mind.

“I came back to do a part time course but the illness wouldn't leave me alone. I had to remodel my life. It was incredibly hard for three years.

“But the cricket and working with young people was always a motivation. Being there to support the kids and watch them in tournaments made me realise I had to keep going and not stay in bed and feel sorry for myself.”

He still struggles with energy but has returned to better health.

Trying to find schools which share his passion for cricket has made the academy project difficult, he said.

“Football gets all the effort and publicity and lots of kids don't get the opportunity to play,” he said.

He said he would always find “doors being shut” until meeting Booker Hill headmistress Geraldine O’Brien who he described as “fantastic”.

Now, Mr Jones drive to get more children playing cricket is attracting wider attention through a film made with Orpington College media students called The TakeOff.

The video, made at Cressex School, Holmer Lane, High Wycombe, features a number of youngsters from Little Marlow Cricket Club.

(See link below to watch the video).

It will be broadcast on April 12 on The Community Channel on Sky.

The academy has been funded by The Extended Schools Partnership. Mr Jones thanked Tahir Aziz from the organisation for his help.

Two open days are set to be held on April 12 at Cressex School from 6pm till 7.30pm and on April 14th at Little Marlow Cricket Club, Church Road, from 6pm till 8pm.

Call Steve Shore on 07723445125 for more details.