ECB Grassroots Cricket Collective Awards 2024 - NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!
In 2021, the ECB launched the new GRASSOOTS CRICKET AWARDS, replacing the previous OSCAs as the game’s Reward and Recognition scheme for our outstanding network of volunteers. For the last three years we have recognised many fantastic volunteers through these awards and with that in mind I am delighted to confirm the launch of the 2024 GRASSROOTS CRICKET COLLECTIVE AWARDS. Please note that for 2024 these awards will also be encompassing the previous ECB Coaching awards; bringing all of our volunteer awards under the identity of the CRICKET COLLECTIVE.
A look back to 2023’s awards
In 2023, we were delighted to run an awards evening that recognised the amazing work that is put in from volunteers up and down the county. Recreational Cricket is hugely reliant on the work of many dedicated, skilled and passionate volunteers and the demands on volunteer time have never been more large than they are for the modern day cricket club. As the game diversifies in to offering more opportunities so too does the requirements on our volunteers. With this in mind, we would strongly urge everyone to take some time to think about the volunteers in your clubs who deserve a thank you. Through the Grassroots Cricket Collective awards there is an opportunity for you to show those volunteers that you are thinking of them and that they are valued.
The Grassroots Cricket Collective categories
For 2024, there are 15 different categories of awards for which we are seeking nominations. These are as follows:
- The Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket Award - A volunteer, coach or role model who has championed growing girls’ cricket at their club.
- Connecting Communities Award - A club or community organisation which has gone above and beyond to #raisethegame and support communities and/or groups.
- Cricket Innovator Award - Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group.
- Game Changer Award - A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 17-25-year-olds).
- Growing the Game Award - A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played.
- Inspired to Play Award - An individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to #raisethegame and open the game up to new audiences.
- Lifetime Achiever Award - That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group and who you could not do without.
- Rising Star Award - A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 11-16-year-olds).
- Safe Hands Award - An individual that has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game.
- Tackling Climate Change Award - A club or community organisation that is addressing the threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging and educating their local community
- Unsung Hero Award - Those heroes who impact our game from behind-the-scenes and help us make cricket happen.
- Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year Award - An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played.
- Coach of the Year Award - A coach who goes the extra mile and is a true coaching hero to their club, league, county or school.
- Young Coach of the Year Award - A young person who is already passing on their enthusiasm for the game and inspiring the next generation of players (16-25-year-olds)
- Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching Award - 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.
Nominate someone from your club!
We now really urge as many clubs as possible to think about those amazing volunteers from your club, who would be fully deserving of recognition via one of the above categories. In doing this, perhaps take a look at the winners from previous years to see some of the volunteers we have already been able to recognise:
If you would like to nominate someone from your club, association or networks for a Grassroots Cricket Collective Award please note that the Wiltshire Cricket deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday 23rd August. Following this, a panel of Wiltshire Cricket Board and Staff members will be meeting to review nominations ahead of announcing a shortlist who will be invited to a Wiltshire Cricket thank you event in the Autumn. Additionally, winners will be submitted to the ECB for considerations in the national awards.
