Somerset Cricket Foundation recently hosted a gala dinner to recognise the contributions of volunteers across the county game at the Grassroots Cricket Awards 2022.
Over 230 club volunteers, community programme volunteers and network partners attended the event held in the County Room at the Coopers Associates County Ground and were warmly welcomed by Somerset Cricket Foundation Managing Director, Jon Bendle, and Somerset CCC Chair, Sir Michael Barber, who spoke about the importance of the work of the Foundation and the burgeoning relationship between the County Club and the Foundation.
Presenting the trophies were Jason Kerr (Somerset CCC Head Coach), Fran Wilson (England, Western Storm & Welsh Fire), James Hildreth (Somerset) and Vic Marks (England & Somerset). Fran and James also took part in an engaging question & answer session which focused on the importance of grassroots cricket and the volunteers that make grassroots cricket happen.
Community Programmes Manager, Steve Gass took the opportunity to explain to the room the impact of several community programmes, including Super 1s, Walking Cricket and the Wellbeing Champion Programme. Two of Steve’s volunteers went on to win awards during the evening, including Connor Hyde who articulated the importance of Super 1s in his own development as a player, coach, helper, and person.
Coaching and Schools Manager, Scott Chappell also shared the breadth and depth of the Chance to Shine school coaching programme, which engaged over 16,000 children across the county.
Finally, the Foundation took the opportunity to help Shapwick & Polden honour long time club volunteer Martin Baker, who sadly passed away earlier in the summer, by presenting his wife with the Outstanding Contribution to Cricket Award.
A huge thank you must go to all the volunteers who give their time to clubs and/or leagues. Without them, cricket would not be flourishing in Somerset. Thank you for all you do!
Congratulations to those who were nominated for an award and to all our winners who are listed below:
ECB Coach Award Winners 2022
Young coach of the year
Connor Hyde, South Somerset Bears Cricket Team
Coach of the Year
Neil Davis, Yeovil Cricket Club
Outstanding contribution – service to coaching
Hannah Hughes, Taunton Deane CC
ECB Grassroots Cricket Award Winners 2022
Connecting Communities
Winners: Broadway & Horton CC
Nominees: Broadway & Horton CC, Bridgwater CC
Growing the Game
Winner: Rachel Richards, Wells CC
Nominees: Jon Pike, Katie Ashworth, Rachel Richards, Stuart Sinnott
Rising Star
Winner: Oscar Warren, Staplegrove CC
Nominees: Alfie Inskip, Alfie Thompson, Amelia Taylor, Charlie Vigar, James Hibbert, Oscar Warren, Rio Paling, Thomas Greenway
Game Changer
Winner: Joe Martin, Long Sutton CC
Nominees: David Clarke, Hannah Morris, Jamie Pedlar, Jarrad Cave, Joe Martin, Tom Gamble, Tom Wickens
Inspired to Play
Winner: Steve Hubbard, Taunton CC
Nominees: Dave Tucker, Edgar Herridge, Ian Sturgess, John Irish, Melanie White, Steve Hubbard
Safe Hands Award
Winner: Anthony Hardwell, Knowle CC
Nominees: Amanda Counsell, Anthony Hardwell, Helen Barham, Lauren Challis, Liam Stiles, Martin Peters, Paul Martin
Volunteer Grounds Team
Winner: William Brown, Nynehead CC
Nominees: Broadway & Horton CC, Nailsea CC, Keynsham CC, Taunton CC, Nynehead CC
Cricket Innovator
Winner: Dan Van Grudgings, Clevedon CC
Nominees: Dan Van Grudgings, Edgar Harvey
Outstanding Service to Cricket
Martin Baker, Shapwick & Polden CC
Unsung Hero
Winner: Sian Sainsbury, Ilminster CC
Nominees: Alex Troake, Allister Carolussen, Caroline Welch, Chris Golding, Daniel Bingham, Daniel Pritchard, Donna Hibbert, Gary Phippen, Ginine Herridge, Harjeet Awlak, Hayley Francis, James Barham, James Stone, Jason Thorne, Lee Brun, Linda Retter, Lorna Thorne, Melvyn Gale, Nigel Day, Pascal Szczepanski, Rita Day, Roxi Davidson, Samantha Troake, Sian Sainsbury, Steve Gamble, Susie Hewitt, Wayne Hepple
Lifetime Achiever
Winner: Alan Ranger, Wombat CC
Winner: John Davey, Huntspill & District CC
Nominees: Alan Ranger, Chris Norton, Dennis Quick, Jeremy Board, John Davey, Linda Curtis, Mike Back, Nigel Mortimer, Richard Yandle, Tommy Acock
