Yesterday at Lord's, we presented all of the 2020 Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards (OSCAs) to the worthy winners of each category.
Without the many thousands of volunteers who continue to dedicate so much time and commitment to the game, this wonderful game simply wouldn't be what it is, and we thank each and every volunteer across the Middlesex club network for all their hard work and continued efforts to keep the game thriving.
It's almost an impossible job to select winners from the many, many entries that are put forward every year, and to read them all is utterly heart-warming, and makes you appreciate just how much love goes into the game, however, as with any awards. there are some that stand out ahead of all others as the winners.
Five awards were presented yesterday at Lord's, detailed below, and our congratulations and thanks go to all the worthy winners, who were invited to Lord's yesterday, on a very damp and rainy day, to receive their trophies. Well done to each and every one of you.
The award categories, and winners, are as follows:
Award description: This award is designed to highlight a club, league or community organisation that has supported the members of their community through inspirational methods. Through a diverse range of measures throughout COVID-19 to ensure cricket has played its part in looking after the local community. Innovation and pushing the boundaries are to be rewarded here and we recognise the important role played by clubs, groups of people and organisations.
The winning entry: “The club adapted quickly to make sure cricket is not forgotten and showed how much a community influence cricket is. In these hard times the club kept many spirits high and this was greatly appreciated by all."
The winner: Harrow St Mary’s CC
Pictured below: Chanaka Wijeratne collecting on the club’s behalf
Award description: This award is designed to highlight and show the essential contribution that pro-active leadership can make within clubs, leagues, officiating, community or County organisations. It recognises those individuals who are providing vision and direction in supporting their local community and highlighting the role cricket plays within that community.
The winning entry: “Over the last 6 years, Matt has been the driving force in the construction of a new pavilion, which finally opened late September 2019… It is a project that has secured the future of Teddington CC for many years to come and Matt’s contribution has been fundamental to that.”
The winner: Matt Rees - Teddington CC
Pictured below: Matt Rees
Award description: This award highlights the special volunteer(s) that your local community simply couldn’t do without – its Heartbeat, and often the roles they carry out are behind the scenes. They often undertake a number of different roles, and are always there to lend a hand.
The winning entry: “For their exceptional efforts to generate a tremendous team ethic within our Academy and ‘senior juniors’ which contributed to a fulfilling season despite pandemic restrictions... As important, they instilled the spirit of cricket and engaged parents at every opportunity in necessary tasks and arrangements.”
The winners: Adam Frais and Jon Francis - North Middlesex CC
Pictured below: Adam Frais and Jon Francis
Award description: This award is designed to highlight and show the fantastic contribution that young volunteers can make within the game…
The winning entry: “He has been a credit to the club and without his hard work, we would not have seen the improvement in the ground as well as getting some of our matches on, as part of a busy schedule.”
The winner: Tushal Nath - Kenton CC
Pictured below: Tushal Nath
Award description: This award is designed to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding difference to their cricket club, league, Board or local cricket community over a significant number of years.
The winning entry: “John has given an amazing 45 years to the running of junior cricket at Actonians... It is obvious that without his efforts the junior club would not be where it is now and has provided a constant stream of players into the men’s and ladies teams.”
The winner: John Walker - Actonians CC
Pictured below: David Whear - collecting the award on behalf of John Walker
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES AWARD...
PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE CRICKET COMMUNITY AWARD...
#RAISETHE BAT AWARDS...
YOUNG VOLUNTEER AWARD...
LIFETIME ACHIEVER AWARD...
