Monday 9th September saw the presentation of the Middlesex In The Community (MITC) Cricket Collective Awards, where we recognised the hard work of 15 remarkable volunteers who have gone above and beyond to grow the game within the county.
We received a large number of nominations from across the game in each award category, and each of the nominees has clearly made an outstanding contribution to their respective clubs and communities, but after much deliberation, the panel comprising of Raj Nath (MITC Partnership Manager), Will Stone (MITC Chair), Rod Croucher (Former Middlesex Coaches Association Chair ), Laura de Silva (MJCA Girls Area Chair), and Duncan Holden (Chair - Stoke Newington CC) were able to narrow down the nominations to one deserving winner for each award.
The day started with a tour of the Lord's Pavilion from the Managing Director of MITC, Angus Fraser, with some great stories shared from the Long Room, the Committee Room, and the Players' Dining Room.
This was followed by the awards ceremony in the MCC President’s Suite, where Rod Croucher read out the citation provided for each worthy winner, noting the importance of the awards scheme and the enormous value that nominating organisations place on the scheme and how much they appreciate the work of those nominated.
MITC Partnerships Manager, Raj Nath, commented:
"What became clear in all the citations was the commitment of those nominated and the time they gave to delivering and developing cricket in the community in Middlesex, especially to junior cricket for Boys and Girls."
After lunch and some time watching the afternoon session of the County Championship clash between Middlesex and Gloucestershire, the winners were taken onto the hallowed turf of Lords, for a group picture in front of the Pavilion, and received a round of applause from the onlooking members and spectators in the stands in recognition of their hard work and contributions to the game.
The event was a most successful and enjoyable occasion, and from the conversations around the lunch tables and whilst watching the match it was evident just how special today was for the award winners.
Congratulations once again to each of the following deserved winners:
Metro Bank Champion of Girls Cricket Award: Jo Janssen – South Hampstead CC
Growing the Game: Peter Hollman – MJCA
Rising Star Award: Charlotte Bernstein – Highgate CC
Volunteer Grounds Team of the Year: Matthias Winter and Steve Blyghton – Highgate CC
Tackling Climate Change: Philippa Prior - Shepherds Bush CC
Unsung Hero: Jonathan Francis – North Middlesex CC
Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching: Clifford Pile – Actonians CC
Coach of the Year: Paul Frost – North Middlesex CC
Connecting Communities: Tony Wright – Harrow St Mary’s CC
Inspired to Play: award collected by Jack Davis on behalf of David Marks – London Maccabi Vale
Cricket Innovators: James Watson – Heathfield Junior School
Lifetime Achiever: award collected by Louise Jones on behalf of Martin Issitt – North London CC
Game Changer: award collected by Amy Dhindsa on behalf of Ramon Bailey – Shepherds Bush CC
Young Coach of the Year: Ellis Smout – Stoke Newington CC
