Last week a number of people attended the Cambridgeshire Cricket #thecricketcollective Grassroots Cricket Awards for 2024, down in Chelmsford. The event, which we partner with our friends from Essex County Cricket Club, is designed to honour and say thank you to those who were elected as winners in the various categories.
This year the ECB decided to add the Coaching Awards with the Grassroots Awards, so let’s introduce our winners.
Coach of the Year – Stuart Dockerill – this year Stuart has spent over 300 hours delivering Chance to Shine programme content, 70+ hours in Special Educational Needs schools and driven our Super 1’s offering and Street Cricket programme. In his own time Stuart coached Cambridgeshire Girls Under 15s.
Stuart has delivered long hours with a smile oh his face and a wide knowledge and an ability to easily allow children to improve their game. Well done Stuart!
Other nominees in this category were – Dan Tinkler of Thriplow Cricket Club, Ollie Barnes of Abington Cricket Club, Rebecca Case-Upton of City of Ely CC and Paul Andrews of Ickleton Cricket Club
Young Coach of the Year – Leah Harrap – Leah attended her Coaching Course at 17 and helped out generally at her club, until she was 18, when she became a fully accredited Foundation Coach. Since that time Leah has taken much more responsibility at City of Ely, planning and delivering sessions. Leah is fully committed to helping the children she coaches.
Leah has successfully seen the importance of good quality Coaching, as she started playing cricket at 14 and has progressed to Women’s 1st X1 level.
In progressing her Coaching experience Leah has grown in confidence and as a result volunteers to take on more Coaching and responsibility. Well done Leah, keep doing what you are doing.
Other nominees in this category were: Rohan McCarthy of Sutton Cricket Club
Contribution to Coaching – Iain Malthouse – Iain is not a qualified coach, but a very active dad and a responsible parent helper at Longstanton Grasshoppers CC. At the start of last Autumn the club had set up training for 25 young people and the coach selected didn’t show up.
Faced with either disappointing the children and the club losing money with Sports Hall cancellation fees Iain took control of doing something about it.
Iain contacted the County, who found a Coach to continue the sessions. Iain then worked with the County Cricket Development Officer to identify talented parent helpers to train as Core and Foundation Coaches.
The winter programme continued and if you attend the Longstanton ground on a Friday evening, you are met with the sight of over 100 children loving their cricket, in a season where, without Iain’s work, it might have been a completely different outcome. Well done Iain, keep working at the Club to grow your own!
Other nominees in this category were: George Rolls of Cokenach CC, Mark Lafferty of Ickleton CC, Izzy Biswell of Haddenham CC, Pat Ringham of Cambs CCC over 60’s and 70’s, Darren Hugges at Chippenham Cricket Club, Cambridgeshire
We thank Anthony McGrath, Head Coach at Essex County Cricket Club for presenting the Coaching Awards.
Lifetime Achiever – David Ellis – David is an ever present force for good at Sawston & Babraham CC and previously in Cambridgeshire Age Group cricket. David is at home at the Spicers Sports Ground where he can be found behind the bar, pushing covers over the square, scoring for the 2nd xi, organising the entire junior programme. When a bat and ball are involved David will not be far away. He still loves the game, still loves helping people develop with good sound advice. Thank you David.
Also nominated in this category were: Ravi Shankar from Northstowe Cricket Club, Stan Webster of Ickleton Cricket Club
Unsung Hero – Louise Vickers – Louise has achieved so much this season. Starting previously as a parent helper, this season took on the role as Secretary, updating all of the Clubs policies and procedures. Louise has great patience and negotiations skills persuading Club member to get involved in helping out in the club.
In addition, Louise has taken the new ECB Introduction to Umpiring Course and has developed to stand in County Under 13 games. A true model of an Unsung Hero. CONGRATULATIONS!
Other nominations in this category were Rebecca Livermore of Abington Cricket Club and Mike Nelson of March Town Cricket Club
Safe Hands – Caroline Webb – Caroline has been Safeguarding Officer at Royston Cricket Club for several years. Caroline understands every requirement of Safeguarding and applies it well at Royston Cricket Club. Caroline also helps and assist new volunteers to the club and assists in the registration of young people to their National Programme groups. A quiet unassuming lady, who carries out her role with quiet efficiency. A well deserved reward. Unfortunately Caroline could not join us at the event and her award was collected by David May, Chair of Royston CC.
Growing the Game – John Phelps – Anyone involved in the game knows John has been the cornerstone of St Giles CC. Over many years John has donated hours and hours to junior coaching to both St Giles junior members and young people involved in the MCC Foundation Hub. This season John has spearheaded a venture to ensure Cricket remains played at Caldecote Recreation Ground, allowing St Giles to field an additional team and allowing younger players to progress into Senior Cricket. Well done John.
Other nominees in this Category were Mark Lafferty of Ickleton CC, Raj Ghelani of Cambridgeshire ECB Coaches Association, Ben Hollis and Oli Tillbrook of Chatteris Cricket Club, Lois Hopkins of #MarchTownCricketClub, Jim Baddeley and Henry Wilson at Wilburton CC, Neha Jamwal and Maneesha Chundi of Northstowe CC
Connecting Communities- Edmund Harcourt – Ed is Chair at Ickleton CC and has been instrumental in developing the profile of the club across all aspects, creating a Women’s team, sourcing a Coach. His agenda is all about making Ickleton a family friendly club and has led several fundraising initiatives to ensure the Cricket Club is at the forefront of the local community. Well done Edmund. Unfortunately Ed could not attend.
Also nominated in this category were Northstowe Cricket Club
Game Changer – Oli Ellis – At Horseheath CC Oli has taken on a significant number of volunteer roles. He is a prominent member of the Grounds team, fixing problems around the ground with common sense and pragmatism. He is vice-Captain of the midweek league team and has constantly chased round to find the elusive player when someone drops out and he makes sure the bar is well stocked. A great all round club member. Well done Oli.
Also nominated in this category were Ben Savage of Histon Cricket Club, Syed Ali Hassan of Ickleton Cricket Club, Hansel Bloomfield of Ickleton CC.
Inspired to Play – Neha Jamwal – Neha has made enthusiastic contributions to growing Women’s Cricket at Northstowe Cricket Club. Neha acts as liaison point with League Administrators, ensures the Club is well represented and integrated in the wider Cricket community. Within the local community she tries to grow playing numbers and ensures the Women’s section is represented in the wider Northstowe Club. Her dedication and passion has advanced Women’s Cricket in Northstowe.
Other nominations in this category were Oli Thorogood of Wendens Ambo CC, Dan Vickers of Histon CC, Mark Lafferty of Ickleton CC,
Volunteer Grounds Team – Haddenham Cricket Club – Head Groundsman Andy Wilding, assisted by Mark Coles and Harry Tietz (Harry is a teenager) work well together, knowing exactly what to do to ensure wickets are in good condition for play for 2 senior and 3 junior teams. They all work with a smile on their faces, despite the challenges the weather threw at them in early season. Andy has also saved the club thousands by maintaining and repairing all of the Clubs machinery. Well done guys!
Other Clubs nominated in this category were Abington Cricket Club Chatteris Cricket Club, Chippenham Cricket Club, Cambridgeshire, Wisbech Town and Ickleton CC
Rising Star – Theo Liversedge – Theo really has helped turn the ground in March Town Cricket Club back into the shining star it once was. Theo is 15 and earlier in the season the volunteer groundsman at March decided he could no longer do even the bare minimum. Theo was struggling with his mental health, only wanting to leave the house to play cricket or help on the ground. The need for someone to step forwards was a new lease of life for Theo and can now be found (under supervision) cutting, rolling the square and outfield. The ground at Mar h is starting to look like it’s old self. Average runs per game have gone up significantly. Theo is receiving advice from ex-ECB pitch advisor Mel Pooley as well as his dad and has received a number of plaudits for both his passion and presentation of the ground. To round the season off Theo was “capped” by the Cambs o70’s. Well done Theo!
Other nominations in this category were Hera Bloomfield of Ickleton CC and Ryan Smith of Histon CC.
And finally, this year we had a new Category named the MetroBank Champion of Girlcs Cricket. The winner was Tamsind Duffety-Fuller. Tamsind is working hard to ensure Chippenham CC are providing fun and sustainable cricketing opportunities for girls of all ages and ensuring there is a seamless transition from Girls Cricket to Adult cricket. Tamsind has inspired Women to step up to become coaches, which is aimed at lengthening the sustainability of the Wonen and Girls sections. An eye for detail, communicative, friendly, supportive. Tamsind is a worthy winner of this award category in its first year.
Other nominees in this category were Edmund Harcourt and Mark Lafferty of Ickleton CC , Lois Hopkins of March Town Cricket Club, Neha Jamwal of Northstowe CC.
