COUNTY OSCAs PRESENTED AT KNYPERSLEY

The Staffordshire Cricket Outstanding Service To Cricket Awards 2009 took place at Knypersley C.C. on Sunday. The awards to celebrate the many volunteers involved in cricket with all the winners then going onto the national awards at Lords in October.

There to present the awards were members of the Staffordshire Cricket Board executive Stuart Bourne (President), Gerald Wiiliams (Chairman) and Jason Britton (Cricket Development Manager). Staffordshire C.C.C. captain Paul Goodwin also attended to present an award.

The OSCAs were made at lunch of the washed out first day of the county fixture against Suffolk and involved thirteen shortlisted candidates.

The ‘Young Volunteer’ award was won by Danny Brierley of Wood Lane C.C. who won the award due to his long hours of voluntary work within the club and as the school liason officer. Highly commended in this category was Dave Tomans (Himley). Danny and Dave unfortunately could not be at the awards due to cricketing committments, their tophies were picked up by Gary Norcup and Guy Whitaker respectively. 

The ‘Building Partnerships' award was won by Guy Whitaker (Himley) due to his building of the clubs infrastructure and also a close link with schools, colleges and the county. From one junior team in 2002, Guy now sees 150 juniors playing in teams including Girls and Boys. Guy also oversees a structure that sees 30 of the clubs juniors playing representative cricket. Guy is also the main driver in over £550k worth of grants to the club. Highly commended in this category was Dave Ford (Meir Heath) for his many years of work in womens and girls cricket within the county.