Sunday 24th August saw the Steelbacks Cricket Collective Awards presentation take place during the interval of the Steelbacks’ Metro-Bank One Day Cup match against Middlesex. The Steelbacks’ Dom Leech presented each award to our winners.
These annual awards recognise dedicated volunteers, cricket clubs and schools that go above and beyond for the recreational game in Northamptonshire and it was fantastic to see each winner receive deserved recognition at The County Ground in front of an excellent crowd.
Seventeen awards were distributed throughout the presentation, firstly celebrating the younger volunteers. Organizations and individuals who inspired change within accessibility and taking cricket to new groups were celebrated before an award to specific volunteers, crucial to the delivery of recreational cricket.
The final two awards presented on the day were dedicated to individuals that their club could not survive or thrive without.
Two of the winners were not able to receive their awards on the day, with Andy Reader from the Evenley Cricket Club winning the Volunteer Grounds Management Team Award, thanks to their tireless efforts and commitment throughout the season to produce high-quality playing surfaces.
Steve Lack picked up the Officials Award, dedicated to his service as a scorer for Finedon Dolben Cricket Club. Despite unfortunately being unable to collect their awards in person, a massive congratulations to both for their outstanding efforts.
Winners of awards for younger volunteers were superb recognition for those using their exuberance for the game in rewarding capacities. Winner of the Rising Star category for those aged 11-16 was Jack Liptrot from Rushden & Higham Town Cricket Club. Jack assists evert week with the All Stars, giving back to the organisation that began his own cricketing journey.
Sachin Mathivanan, from Kettering Town Cricket Club, was winner of the Game Changer award, with nominees between the ages of 17-25. Volunteering for four years and doing anything he can to help the club, Sachin is now a qualified coach and is involved with several teams and age groups within the club.
The final recipient of an award in the youth category was Libby Griffiths from Irthlingborough Town Cricket Club who received Young Coach of the Year. Libby commits her time to drive, support and lead junior training session and her role model persona as well as bubbly personality makes her a hugely popular figure for the children of the club to look up to.
A huge congratulations to the three winners within this category for their continued dedication and execution of growing the youthful side of cricket.
The first recipient of the second category of awards went to Barby Cricket Club, receiving the Connecting Communities award. One of the club’s standout initiatives was to establish a regular group of volunteers who meet every week to complete ground and maintenance tasks.
Kathryn Monk from Horton House Cricket Club was award the Inspired to Play Award. This recognised Kathryn’s exceptional leadership, vision and dedication in establishing the women’s cricket section which has now seen Horton House lead the way in inclusion with two thriving women’s teams.
The Cricket Innovators award was awarded to Christian Fisher from Spencer Bruerne Cricket Club. Christian’s efforts saw the club achieve ECB Clubmark accreditation for the time.
Lucy Shay, Women’s and Girl’s cricket lead at Barby Cricket Club, received the Growing the Game award for her passion and enthusiasm which has driven a significant increase in the number of women and girls joining the club and volunteering around the ground.
The winners of School of the Year were Glapthorn Primary School. Their engagement with the Steelbacks Foundation schools cricket programmes and coaches has seen the pupils engage in the game, in most cases, for the first time.
The final award in this category was sponsored by Metro Bank. The Champion of Girls’ Cricket was awarded to Alex Ayling from Earls Barton Cricket Club for her outstanding effort in recruiting and introducing over 30 girls to the cricket thanks to an after-school cricket club at the local primary school.
A huge congratulations to all winners within this category. Their work throughout the last year was outstanding and has been deservedly recognised.
Stuart Griffiths, from Kislingbury Temperance Cricket Club, received the National Programmes Activator in the opening award of the volunteer category, dedicated to delivering recreational cricket. Stuart’s dedication and to the All Stars and Dynamos programmes have made many children’s first experience of cricket a memorable one.
Coach of the Year went to Nathan Brown from Geddington Cricket Club. Nathan received multiple nominations from club members, with his wholly inclusive approach and efforts with the women and girls’ team at the club recognised by many.
The Outstanding Services to Coaching award was received by Nick Hebert from Loddington & Mawsley Cricket Club. Nick gives up 10-15 hours a week and has been coaching at the club for fifteen years. The club would not be where they are today without the enthusiasm and commitment towards youth cricket that Nick shows.
The final award in this category was the Safe Hands award and this was award to Phillippa Farrar from Wellingborough Town Cricket Club. Her exceptional efforts as the club’s Safeguarding Officer has not gone unnoticed and her management of the club’s volunteers in regulated roles ensures Wellingborough Town is always the safest of environments.
A huge congratulations to all winners within this category. Their services to their clubs have been crucial to the delivery of recreational cricket.
The final two awards were in recognition of two individual their clubs could not thrive without.
The first was the Unsung Hero award, with the winner being Tim Wright from Wicken Cricket Club. Tim fulfils many roles at the club and is an integral member, being described as the glue that binds everything together. One nomination read, “Tim is first to roll up his sleeves and always the last person to leave. He asks for nothing in return, yet gives everything, without him the club would not function.”.
The final award was the Lifetime Achiever. Iain Holliday from Loddington & Mawsley Cricket Club received this award and has been Club Secretary since 1982. He has ensured the club is administratively sound and keeps pace with new initiatives. Iain has also combined the Treasurer role and was the main fund-raising driver for the pavilion.
A huge congratulations to all award winners. It was fantastic seeing all the wonderful winners earn and enjoy their moment in the sun as they received their award on the outfield at The County Ground.