Unsung Hero: Asif Aziz

Cricket Collective Awards 2026

Joe Chapman

2026-10-16T09:00+01:00

Pickwick CC have taken a great deal of pride in ‘transforming women and girls’ cricket’ in recent years, as their website indicates.

Based in Moseley, Pickwick aren’t exactly a new club - they were founded in 1858 - but the women and girls’ section of their club is, by comparison, a fresh branch of the outfit.

The development of such teams does not happen overnight and, clearly, an awful amount of effort has been produced to give birth to the section.

Pickwick welcome women and girls of all ages and abilities and ensure that all who attend for sessions are made to feel welcome and supported, even if - as has been the case - some individuals turn up having never held a bat before.

For their efforts, club member Asif Aziz claimed the Unsung Hero at the recent Cricket Collective Awards held at Edgbaston Stadium by Warwickshire Cricket Foundation - but he was quick to outline just how much of a team effort it has been to reach this stage.

“It is always lovely to get awards, but with the girls team at Pickwick it is such a nice space to work in that it just feels so rewarding,” Asif said.

“The amount of work we've done there, whether it was me or anyone else, you can't really do that amount of work if you don't have the support right from the top. I have to give this award to everybody at the club, because I know sometimes you get a face, but I can't say enough about all the guys - Najib, Wahid, Hamza, Faz, if it wasn't for them, we can't do the work that we do and the way they've supported the girls has been brilliant.

“We have such a low base, it’s a new club.  The girls are coming in, most of them have never picked up a bat in their lives, and to see them transition from softball into hardball now, it's been really, really fantastic.

“They’re now champing at the bit, so much so that they're almost pushing the boys out now to get batting themselves.  The senior teams have always done well anyway, but the youth is really thriving and long may that continue.”

Pickwick strive to raise funds from elsewhere in order to lay on free sessions for women and girls, so that they can enjoy an introduction into cricket without the cost.

They also host All Stars and Dynamos sessions for youngsters throughout the summer and put on indoor sessions during the winter months. The feedback they have received, Asif says, makes the hard work worth it.

“When the guys first took over Pickwick, that was one of the terms that we coined - community project,” Asif explained. “I'm so proud and so happy to say that that's exactly what it's been.

“Now, if you go there, speak to the parents and the kids, the compliments that we get on a daily basis which say we're so happy you're here, and more importantly, you're so accessible…

“A lot of stuff is subsidised and we try to take the money from the sponsorships and other things, rather than put the burden on the people and the members that turn up.”

Pickwick have continued to work closely with the Foundation, too.

“I have to say thank you to everyone at the Foundation,” he added. “They have been brilliant with us and have always been looking in and checking up on us, whether that is Gabby [Basketter], Andy [Wyles], Rich [Evans] or Sam [Wyles].

“They live by their directives of anti-discrimination, inclusivity and diversity, which is so nice to see."