Last Friday, the Somerset Cricket Foundation played host to over 180 of the fantastic volunteers that work tirelessly across our club network for The Collective Cricket Awards 2023.
Held in the County Room at the Coopers Associates County Ground, Jon Bendle, Manging Director, spoke around the impact that the dedicated volunteers have on the grass roots of our sport and the profound impact their contribution has on our work at the Foundation,
Special guests Max Waller (Somerset CCC), Nat Wraith (Western), James Hildreth, ____. Max and Nat took part in a Q&A with our host to talk all things coaching and the impact of volunteers on the Women’s game.
At the centre of the evening was the sheer devotion and passion that these volunteers share for enriching the experience of cricket for many across the region. You can hear from some of our award winners in our wrap up video here:
On the night, we heard from Kevin Russell, who won the lifetime achievement award for Wells & Horrington CC, having played over 1000 games for the club, dedicating his 40 year cricket career to fundraising for his club and being instrumental in saving their Chapel Piece ground to name just a small section of Kevin’s achievements.
We were delighted to be able to thank a fantastic group of volunteers who go and above and beyond throughout the year to better others cricketing experience and make cricket a game for all. We would like to thank all of our volunteers across our network, who give up their time to clubs and leagues, because without them, cricket simply wouldn’t exist at such a thriving level in Somerset as it currently does.
Congratulations to those who were nominated for an award and to all our winners who are listed below:
Young coach of the year
OLLIE MORRIS, WINSCOMBE CC
Coach of the Year
DANIEL PRITCHARD, CHARD CC
Outstanding contribution – service to coaching
LORRAINE WARREN, WOMBAT CC / TAUNTON CC
Outstanding contribution – services to coach development
RACHEL RICHARDS, WELLS CC
Connecting Communities
NORTH PETHERTON CC
tackling climate change
SHAPWICK & POLDEN CC
Growing the Game
CHARLIE HARTLEY-HODGE, BACKWELL FLAX BOURTON CC
Rising Star
ALICE ALLEN, ILTON CC
Game Changer
SCARLETT HALE, MENDIP GATORS – SUPER 1 HUB
Inspired to Play
GARETH GRIFFITHS, OLD BRISTOLIANS WESTBURY CC
Safe Hands Award
AMANDA COUNSELL, HUNTSPILL & DISTRICT, TDYCL & SOMERSET CRICKET LEAGUE
VOLUNTEER GROUNDS MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR
MARK FITZGIBBON, BACKWELL FLAX BOURTON CC
Cricket Innovator
OLLIE PHILLIPS, LONG SUTTON CC
Unsung Hero
KATIE BORTON, HINTON CHARTERHOUSE CC
Lifetime Achiever
