Steelbacks Foundation celebrate valuable volunteers at annual Cricket Collective awards

On Sunday August 9th, the Steelbacks Cricket Collective Awards presentation took place during the interval of the Metro Bank One Day Cup match v Somerset at the cinch County Ground.

All award winners were treated to a day’s hospitality and were presented with their awards by Justin Broad and Ricardo Vasconcelos.

The first award presented was the Young Cricket Collective Champion for volunteers aged 14-25. This goes to Angelina Beetson from Barby Cricket Club and reflects the fresh ideas and energy that she has brought to her club’s extensive junior training programmes. Her encouragement and support for the many girls involved at the club makes her a brilliant role model.

The National Programmes Activator of the Year award goes to a volunteer who makes the experience of their All Stars and Dynamos truly memorable for the children involved. Due the number of nominations in this category, this year’s award was shared by Helen Charnley from Northampton Saints Cricket Club and James Hurrell from Bold Dragoon Cricket Club. Helen’s friendly nature and brilliant organisational skills make all her sessions fun and engaging with the 79 children always wanting more. James’ s award reflects his dedication to launch junior cricket at the club where 53 children participated this year.

Alan Eathorne from Stewarts & Lloyds Corby Cricket Club won the Coach of the Year award for his selfless efforts running the club’s junior section that includes six competitive teams and 32 children in National Programmes.

The Lifetime Services to Coaching Award, went to Neal Perry from Wollaston Cricket Club. Neal has been involved with the junior section at Wollaston for 34 years and countless young cricketers have benefitted from his expertise and moved on to play for the club’s senior teams. Neal has worked closely with local schools and spent several years coaching and managing county squads in the boys’ Talent Pathway.

Carrie Burrows from St Crispin & Harlestone Cricket Club won the Newcomer of the Year award that recognises new volunteers who have had an immediate impact. Carrie won her award for her efforts launching the club’s first female team and recruiting 30 new members.

The Raising the Game category is for volunteers that have helped cricket to become the most inclusive team sport and went to Priyadatt Joshi from Wellingborough Indians Cricket Club. Priyadatt’s dedication and vision have single handedly established the club’s junior section from scratch. The section has two competitive junior teams and 50 young cricketers involved, which has transformed and modernised the club and welcomed new groups and engaged new volunteers.

The Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket was awarded to Nadine Peat from Wollaston Cricket Club for her drive and commitment to grow the girls’ game at her club and across the county. Nadine has infectious enthusiasm that always gets the game on and helped many girls experience competitive cricket for the first time.

The League Legend Award went to Jim Butlin for his contribution to the Corby & District Junior Youth Cricket League, which is one of the largest junior leagues in the county. Jim was Chairman for 10 years and is still on the committee. His influential leadership and passion saw the league introduce a variety of playing offers and formats to keep young cricketers engaged and support the league’s member clubs.

The School of the Year award was won by which is Park Junior School in Wellingborough. The school’s engagement with the Steelbacks Foundation schools cricket programmes and community coaches has been exemplary and resulted in many children at the school really engaging in the game, often for the first time. This award is collected by Head Teacher, David Tebbutt.

The Official of the Year award is awarded to an umpire or scorer who a club cannot do without. This year’s winner was Claire McGrenaghan from Burton Latimer Cricket Club. Claire gives up her time to score for her club’s junior teams across all the age groups. She also scores in junior representative matches. Claire is often left to score on her own, but always ensures junior games are run smoothy and accurately.

The Grounds Management Team award goes to volunteers that maintain and prepare pitches at their club and was won by Moira Keeber from Old Cricket Club, one of the only female grounds volunteers in the county. Moira is part of a two-person team that prepares pitches for 80 fixtures across two grounds at her club. This involves countless hours of pitch preparation and maintenance; her efforts are rarely seen but they have a huge impact.

The Unsung Hero category that goes to a volunteer who just gets things done and their club simply can’t do without. This year’s Unsung Hero was won by Alan York from Great Oakley Cricket Club. Alan has been involved at the club since his childhood and is the go-to person and at any time; whether it’s preparing wickets, maintaining the ground, running the bar, doing clubhouse maintenance, Alan is the man to call, because he never lets you down.

The Lifetime Achiever Award is for an individual that has really shaped their club over many years’ service. This year’s winner is Keith Parsons from Irthlingborough Town Cricket Club, who has been involved at Windmill Road since the late 1950s and held almost every volunteer role; including captain, coach, chairman, grounds manager and umpire. He is now the President of the club and remains an inspiration to all, always keeping other volunteers motivated and involved and being an excellent quiz master.