The 2024 Cricket Collective Awards bring together the annual Grassroots Cricket Awards and, for the first time, the Coach Awards, which seek to reward and recognise volunteers across the country who have made a difference to their club or community group.
Fourteen award categories allow us to recognise and reward those who have made an outstanding contribution to cricket this year, be it a young volunteer who has gone over and above or a Club that has excelled in opening up the game to a brand-new audience.
2024 WINNERS
- Metro Bank Champion of Girls Cricket Award– A volunteer, and/or groups. coach or role model who has championed growing girls’ cricket at their club.
Laura Hall - Dr Challoners
Laura is so passionate about girls cricket and has undoubtedly changed the landscape of girls cricket across bucks.
At the start of the 2023 season, Laura set up 4 leagues for U13 and U15 cup and plate teams. This has dramatically increased the number of games that many girls play competitively around Bucks. Many also played their first ever games, as they have not had the chance to play before.
Laura has also consistently led participation tournaments for primary and secondary school children, giving girls across Bucks the opportunity to play the game. She has also been the only female on a Bucks schools cricket board. This shows her passion for girls cricket.
Whilst juggling her busy life as head of psychology Laura has single handedly grown the school cricket club from 7 girls to 105 over the last 4 years. In turn, this has produced highly achieving teams across all age groups: the U13 and U15 softball teams have made it through to the regional round of their competitions, and the u18 hardball team finished in the top 16 school across the country.
- Growing the Game – A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played.
Sarah Taylor - Dinton CC
I am nominating Sarah Taylor for the inspired to play award because she has gone above and beyond to try and encourage new people to play cricket. For Dinton CC, she has continued to grow a Women's team by creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all the players that would like to give cricket a go. The women she has inspired to play at Dinton have also started attending street sessions in order to continue their development and she is constantly finding softball events to attend as well as organising Dinton's first one this summer! In addition to her efforts at Dinton, following a CTS WSP at her school, she has continued to deliver cricket lessons twice a week in order to keep children playing. Lots of children attend these sessions on a week to week basis and she has even inspired some to start attending street sessions as well. She is an inspirational figure who continues to give up her time to make children, who would not usually get this opportunity, a chance to play a sport they have fallen in love with.
- Rising Star Award – A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 11-16-year-olds).
Tom O'Neil - Winchmore Hill CC
Not many 12 year olds would get so involved in a cricket club but Tom O'Neil is not your average youngster!
Tom has really got involved heavily at WHCC this year in a variety of roles:
- Training as a scorer
- Training as a young Umpire
- Youth Representative on the WHCC Cricket Committee, often bringing forward excellent suggestions by our youth members of how to improve the club.
- Umpiring for a number of U10 games and for the whole day at the WHCC KwikCricket tournament
- As Youth Rep encouraging and leading other youngsters helping with the maintenance of the ground/facilities
- Integral part of the establishment of a Young Officials Academy at WHCC
His enthusiasm is truly infectious, and personally i have had the great pleasure of seeing Tom develop so far this season and believe he has a bright future ahead at WHCC.
- Volunteer Grounds Team of the Year – An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played.
Stuart Watson, Terry Newsome, Paul Hughes-D'aeth - Chesham CC/Coleshill CC
Stuart, Terry and Paul have this year, as volunteers, taken on responsibility for the upkeep of Coleshill cricket ground, where Chesham CC play their 3rd/4th team league games and many junior boys'/ girls' / women's softball fixtures. This was a daunting task given that they were very inexperienced and were not sure of the state of the machinery they were going to be inheriting. They have diplomatically and even-handedly bridged the connection between the Coleshill parish council and the Chesham CC committee. With guidance from Chesham CC's excellent grounds team, they have flourished. The ground at Coleshill is now playing and looking better than it ever has done. They deserve recognition for having taken on such a difficult challenge.
- Unsung Hero – Those heroes who impact our game from behind-the-scenes and help us make cricket happen.
Dave “Stubbo” Stockings - Homer Green CC
Holmer Green CC would like to nominate Dave ‘Stubbo’ Stockings for the ‘2024 Bucks Unsung Hero’ Award.
Stubbo has been HGCC Club Secretary and Chief minute-taker since 2013 which was around the time he joined the club and served on our committee until this present day, 11 years on.
During this time he has also fulfilled a number of additional roles for the club and wider local cricket community including:
- Mid-Bucks League committee member for over 15 years;
- Launched and led Safeguarding & Wellbeing Officer Roles as part of setting up the Club’s ECB Clubmark accreditation in 2014 and worked in these roles ever since to the present day. He has also led on every subsequent Clubmark reaccreditation;
- Launched and led the HGCC All-Stars programme (which is now over 60 strong) since 2019 & the Dynamos programme since 2021;
- Designed, planned and run our annual “Junior Tournament” attended by a number of local clubs every year since 2017, organising volunteers, clubs, and running the whole day from his admin gazebo, microphone in hand!
- Junior Coordinator within our Academy and Colts Programmes since 2020;
- Part of the club’s grounds maintenance volunteer team since 2021;
- Regular umpire and scorer for league matches since 2013.
Stubbo is one of the only HGCC senior leadership team that no longer plays (unless we are really desperate!). Despite this, he’s always available, happy to help, is fair, inclusive and lives our values, is someone everyone feels comfortable to confide in, can trust and rely on. Stubbo has been so committed over the years and has contributed so much of this time for the benefit of the club, often in the background – selflessness in abundance and never seeking the limelight or thanks.
Stubbo is a massive reason why the club has continued to evolve and build such a strong family and community. This is why we think Dave ‘Stubbo’ Stockings is the perfect candidate for the Unsung Hero Award.
- Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching – This person is the life and soul at your club, in your league, your county or at your school, coaching and making a difference to players.
Stuart Banham - Winchmore Hill CC
You can guarantee if there is one coach at Winchmore who is always there, whether it be leading the coaching at junior sessions or encouraging and mentoring the youngsters in games it is Stuart. He has been coaching the youngsters at Winchmore Hill for more years than he'd like to admit! His passion, enthusiasm and commitment to coaching and mentoring our youngsters is infectious and enthuses more and more people to help out. He tries to attend as many of the youth games as possible to show them support. Despite wanting to "retire from playing" he agreed to be Sunday captain to help coach our youngsters in friendly adult matches, an experience that is vital to their progression. No matter what he always has a smile on his face and is appreciated and respected by adults and youngsters throughout the club. He is a dedicated coach that knows how to put the "fun" in fundamentals!
- Coach of the Year – A coach who goes the extra mile and is a true coaching hero to their club, league, county or school.
Harminder Duhra - Stoke Green CC
I am nominating Harminder for his exceptional dedication and commitment as the voluntary cricket coach for our U11 team. His selfless contribution to the team goes beyond the call of duty, creating an environment that fosters both skill development and personal growth. Coach Harminder consistently dedicates countless hours to training sessions, meticulously planning drills that cater to each player's abilities and needs.
Their passion for cricket is evident in the way they inspire and motivate the young players, instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Under Coach Harminder's guidance, the team has not only improved in performance but also reached top of the league. His ability to connect with the children and make training enjoyable has significantly boosted the players' confidence and enthusiasm.
Coach Harminder's unwavering support and encouragement has been instrumental in shaping the character and resilience of our young athletes. His voluntary work deserves recognition for the positive impact it has on the team and the community. I am incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and inspiring coach leading our U11 cricket team.
- Connecting Communities – A club or community organisation which has gone above and beyond to #raisethegame and support communities and/or groups.
Muhammad Asjad Baig - Wycombe Wolves CC
We are nominating Wycombe Wolves for their outstanding efforts in connecting communities. Through their inclusive events and initiatives, they have fostered unity and strengthened bonds among diverse groups, making a significant positive impact on our community.
- Inspired to Play – An individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to #raisethegame and open the game up to new audiences.
Tanya Westney - Chalfont St Peter CC
Tanya has done an incredible job in building a vibrant women's section at Chalfont St Peter from scratch in two years. From starting in 2022 with a couple of girls from a local secondary school, she has built a women's section that now has 50 members.
Last year they played their first games in a number of festivals, but Tanya has gone further this year in entering teams into both the Bucks Softball Women's League and the Super 8s competition, while also providing a welcoming environment to beginners and those who just want to learn the basics of the game.
The vast majority of the members are new to the playing the game, and we continue to see new members want to join. Having a women's section is also providing an inspiration to our girl members, who now see this as a sport that they can play for life, and this season we have seen girls begin to transition from age group to adult women's cricket for the first time as a result.
Tanya has also spent time with other clubs sharing her experience and suggestions, to help them grow as well.
- Cricket Innovators – Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group.
Chris Burnard - High Wycombe CC
Chris was given a brief by High Wycombe Cricket Club to implement a development plan for its Senior and Junior Sections, with the main focus on developing Youth and Female sections within the club. Chris who had been working in the local community for many years has used his experience to set up and grow key strategies which has done faultlessly. He has set up development centres and several schools and funded cricket for all children, no matter what their background is. He and his team has coached over 2000 young cricketers this year alone and this continues to grow. He has also set up a ladies and girls section at High Wycombe CC which has gone from
0 to over 60 cricketers in under 12 months. He has also set up relationships with local girls schools, which will further enhance the growth in ladies cricket at High Wycombe Cricket Club. I cannot speak highly enough about Chris and with him in control of our development plan High Wycombe and Bucks cricket is in a very good place.
- Lifetime Achiever – That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group and who you could not do without.
Paul Massey - Winchmore Hill CC
Many clubs have that stalwart who is always there no matter the weather and has the passion and commitment to ensure the club grows and develops. Paul Massey is Winchmores stalwart. He has been involved in the club for a lot more years than he'd like to admit. As well as playing, umpiring, coaching and being part of the volunteer ground crew in charge of the junior pitches he has also held the role of Club Chairman for a number of years and has been integral in bringing the club forward both structurally and cricket wise. His family grew up at the club playing and he also "persuaded" his wife to get involved many years ago. Hi passion has never wained even in the problem times at the club, he is truly green and gold through and through!
- Game Changer – A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 17-25-year-olds).
Muhammad Aizaz Khan - University of Buckingham - Buckingham Knights
Aizaz has been the driving force behind the university cricket club over the past 2 years and this year has really taken the club to new heights. He has arranged friendly matches for the club against local teams, he has entered the team into local competitions and has engaged students across a variety of backgrounds encouraging them to participate in sport at university whilst studying.
He records footage from matches and produces match day vlogs which have been engaging on their social media platforms. He leads all training sessions and really is the face of the club. Aizaz really deserves recognition for this hard work and commitment to the club as Buckingham Knights would not be the same without him.
- Safe Hands – An individual that has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game.
Glynis Culley - Winchmore Hill CC
The word legend can often be banded about, but Glynnis is not only a true legend but the epitome of the spirit of cricket.
Her passion comes across when speaking to people young and old about getting into cricket, something that has been demonstrated by the increase in youngsters and also the number of dads who have now started to play (some who have never thought of playing the game). New members young and older feel welcomed and inspired immediately, and this continues through their years at the club, resulting in excellent retention.
Both parents and youngsters immediately feel at ease when they come to Winchmore and this is often due to the professionalism and warmth provided by Glynnis.
She strives on showing everyone that no matter who you are or where you come from cricket at WHCC is for everyone and has been demonstrated where some of our youngsters have learning or physical disabilities but have thrived playing and participating at WHCC, shown by Glynnis that anyone can do anything if they truly want to.
- Young Coach of the Year - A young person who is already passing on their enthusiasm for the game and inspiring the next generation of players (16-25-year-olds).
Maisie Taylor - Ballinger Waggoners CC
Maisie is an incredibly hard working coach not only with the bucks girls u11s and within the bucks coaching network outside of her studies but she plays/coaches/manages the women’s team at Ballinger. The other girls look up to her and listen to all the advice she gives them. She gives everything her all and is so passionate about her cricket in all areas. She thoroughly deserves this award.
