Durham Cricket awarded the county’s most devoted cricket volunteers at this year’s Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards (OSCAs).
Durham Cricket’s Chief Executive Tim Bostock presented the 11 winners with their awards at Emirates Riverside.
The awards are held to recognise the hard work thousands of volunteers across Durham put into the recreational game each season.
Willington Cricket Club grabbed the newly-introduced award for the “Most Inspiring and Diverse Cricket Offer” for their tireless efforts to make the sport accessible to everybody in their community. The club, that have a fully developed women’s and girls’ pathway, have this season developed the first club-based table cricket provision in the county, attracting 12 players with physical and learning disabilities.
The “All Stars Cricket Centre of the Year” went to Shotley Bridge Cricket Club for the promotion and exceptional delivery of the eight-week programme in the club.
Anthony Pattison from Beamish and East Stanley Cricket Club was the winner of the “Heartbeat of the Club” award and was recognised for his 15-year volunteer dedication, during which he has been the driving force behind the club’s development.
Anita Smith from Norton Cricket Club was awarded for her commitment to create a women’s squad at the club in the “Women’s and Girls’ Cricket Development” category, while Andrea Bowman was the winner of “Contribution to Youth Participation” for rejuvenating Sunderland Cricket Club’s junior section and developing a thriving pathway for youngsters.
Katie Jones from Lintz Cricket Club won the “Young Volunteer” award in the 19 – 25 age category for her crucial role in driving and supporting junior participation programmes in her club, as Alex Paterson from Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club won the award in the 14 – 18 age group for her confident support of All Stars Cricket and Under-9 competitions in her club.
Durham Cricket’s 2019 “Lifetime Achiever” is Adrian Wood, who is fulfilling numerous roles at Washington Cricket Club and has been involved in his club for 40 years.
Rene Grosvenor received the award in “Officiating” for her outstanding contribution to Shotley Bridge Cricket Club as a scorer and scoring tutor, while John Bell was recognised with the “Services to Groundsmanship” award for his dedication and skill as a groundsman at Lanchester Cricket Club.
Peter Ruddick was presented the “Proactive Leadership in Cricket” award for his energy and insight in developing Whickham Cricket Club’s social media.