Edgbaston Stadium hosted the Cricket Collective Awards on Friday, as Warwickshire Cricket Foundation recognised the outstanding contributions of volunteers from around the county to the club cricket scene.
From more than 40 nominations, 13 individuals received awards for dedicating their time to various aspects of grassroots cricket, from inspiring women and girls in the sport to preparing pitches and conducting officiating duties on a match-day.
Club cricket in the county of Warwickshire and the city of Birmingham continues to thrive, but it could not do so if those who were acknowledged on Friday - and many others not in attendance - did not go to great lengths to ensure matches go ahead and players of all ages, abilities and backgrounds remain inspired to play.
Asif Aziz, of Pickwick CC, who won the Unsung Hero award said: “I have to say thank you to everyone at the Foundation. They have been brilliant with us.
“They live by their directives of anti-discrimination, inclusivity and diversity, which is so nice to see.”
Tom Randle, who won the Coach of the Year award for his services to Coventry Girls’ Cricket Club, said of the partnership with WCF: “It’s a relationship which is really important for us, because we have got huge aspirations as a club.
“Our long-term vision is to have our own ground, and we are talking with the Foundation about that - they are giving us support and options, so it is a close relationship.”
The winners of the Cricket Collective Awards…
Official of the Year: Martin Jenkins, Olton & West Warwickshire CC
For services to Olton & West Warwickshire and for 30 years at Coleshill before that, as a scorer with exceedingly high standards and notoriously immaculate score-books
Newcomer of the Year: Stuart Foreman, Rowington CC
In his first season as coach of Rowington under 10s, Stuart has made an instant impact and often goes above and beyond foster a welcoming environment in which the young players have enjoyed playing cricket
Coach of the Year: Tom Randle, Coventry Girls’ CC
Tom has ensured that a host of girls in the region have access to cricket, no matter their ability or background. He is passionate about helping them to improve their skills while maintaining a positive and supportive environment
Cricket Collective Champion: Hardip Jheeta, Leamington Khalsa CC
Hardip is a player for Leamington Khalsa but much of his voluntary effort goes into ensuring that all associated with the club, in any capacity, are made to feel welcome and included. For this, he has been recognised
Lifetime Services to Coaching: Mike Brooks, Atherstone Town CC
Mike, in the 32 years he has spent at Atherstone, has breathed life into the club’s junior section by dedicating endless hours on any given day to coaching sessions, ensuring players of all abilities remain involved and supported
League Legend: Alan Seville
Alan has spent more than 20 years helping umpires in the Birmingham & District League to constantly improve and maintain standards and also to represent them whenever times prove tough. He is valued by umpires and club officials alike and has a keen eye for up and coming talent
Raising the Game: Dave Simpson, Bournville Village CC
In the first 12 months since inhabiting Bournville cricket ground, after Shenley Fields were invited to occupy the famous site, chair Dave has overseen (and continues to oversee) a transformation of the place - from the pitch to the breadth of the club in a playing capacity
Sustainability Innovator: Steve Gardener, Fillongley CC
Fillongley have long been recognised for their efforts to go above and beyond when it comes to ecological sustainability, and it is a drive which has been led by Steve. The club have solar panels, an orchard and a pond which has since been dredged, welcoming back all forms of wildlife in a cricketing environment
Young Cricket Collective Champion: William Millichamp, Sheldon Marlborough CC
William, even at a young age, is juggling playing with coaching and has already made a significant impact on the club’s younger teams and supports the All Stars sessions as well as coaching the under 14 and 15 squads. William is also 3rd XI captain and has demonstrated leadership on the field as well as off it
Grounds Management Team of the Year: Dave Owen, Walmley CC
While the award recognises a management team, Dave is at the forefront of Walmley and also Erdington when it comes to match preparation. He gives countless hours to make sure that the pitch being played on is both of a high quality and safe for the players.
Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket: Ash Smith, Atherstone Town CC
Ash is perhaps the youngest chair - and certainly the youngest female chair - of any cricket club in the county and retains a burning passion for the growth of women and girls’ cricket. There is now a women’s team which has been built from the ground up and is a section of the club which is thriving, through Ash’s determination.
Unsung Hero: Asif Aziz, Pickwick CC
As the title of the award suggests, Asif carries out work which is often overlooked or taken for granted, but he has been acknowledged and appreciated here by Pickwick, for whom he goes above and beyond when it comes to all facets of the club. All at Pickwick are made to feel welcome on Asif’s watch and he commits plenty of time to ensure women and girls, in particular, are given the time and support to play and train.
Lifetime Achiever: Michael Fletcher, Standard CC
Michael is the go-to man at Standard, having played a part in its inception, and he has continued to roll with the times - to ensure the South Asian players at the club are made to feel welcome and comfortable, Michael oversaw the creation of a prayer room for those who wished to use it. He also dedicates lots of time to the junior section of the club.
Many congratulations to all winners and a thank you from all at WCF for the voluntary work you do to ensure cricket around Warwickshire continues to thrive and remains a sport for everyone, no matter who you are.
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