Today, the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation welcomed 15 recipients of the Cricket Collective Awards 2025 to Edgbaston Stadium for a special lunch and awards presentation, recognising the dedication and impact of volunteers across the recreational game.
The Cricket Collective Awards celebrate those who go above and beyond to make cricket happen, individuals whose passion, hard work, and commitment keep the game thriving in clubs and communities across Warwickshire and Birmingham.
Guests enjoyed a buffet lunch followed by coffee and cupcakes as part of an afternoon that honoured the vital role of volunteers in the game.
More than 60 guests attended including Warwickshire Cricket Foundation staff and trustees, club representatives and volunteers.
Sam Wyles, Workforce Development Manager, said:
“Without our volunteers, there is no cricket. These awards are a small way of saying thank you for everything they do to keep the game alive and thriving.”
Each county winner will now go forward as a nominee for the National Grassroots Cricket Collective Awards, where their contributions will be considered for national recognition by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Cricket Collective 2025 Winners
Coach of the Year: Sean Hopwood of Stratford-upon-Avon Cricket Club
Sean is a dedicated and inspirational coach at Stratford SportsClub, known for his passion for cricket and commitment to developing players of all ages and abilities. His exceptional coaching blends deep technical knowledge with patience, encouragement, and genuine love for the game. Sean’s contribution has had a lasting impact on the club and the wider cricket community.
Connecting Communities: Samreen Begum of Moseley Cricket Club
Samreen founded and built the girls’ section at Moseley Cricket Club, turning complete beginners into confident hardball players across four age-group teams and a women’s side. Her dedication, positivity, and support have created an inclusive and empowering environment. Despite personal challenges, she continues to put the girls first, providing equipment, opportunities, and care to help every player thrive.
Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket: Gurby Evans of Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club
Gurby consistently goes above and beyond to support Moseley Ashfield Cricket Club in every aspect. She manages everything from organising fixtures and match shirts to nurturing younger players through the All Stars programme. Her willingness to volunteer, whether scoring, umpiring, or helping develop women’s cricket, demonstrates her dedication and leadership, which have a significant impact on the club.
She has played a key role in developing the women’s team, who recently triumphed in the Birmingham Indoor Softball tournament. Gurby also coordinates the All Stars sessions, warmly welcomes new children, and leads coaching on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Additionally, she is a familiar and valued figure at the scorers’ table, always contributing wherever needed.
Inspired to Play: Coventry Girls Cricket Club
Coventry Girls Cricket Club offers an inclusive and encouraging space where girls of all ages develop cricket skills and grow in confidence. The club not only builds teamwork and a strong sense of belonging but also inspires girls to be active, motivated, and enjoy the sport. Through their dedication, Coventry Girls Cricket Club is empowering young girls to embrace cricket and build lifelong connections both on and off the field.
Cricket Innovator: Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara
The Gurdwara Committee has played a vital role in making cricket accessible for children and adults across Birmingham. Through fundraising and donations, they’ve removed financial and language barriers, providing transport, equipment, and support. Their efforts have opened doors for families facing challenges and created inclusive opportunities that promote health, teamwork, and community engagement.
Growing the Game: Michael Arnold of Warwickshire Cricket League
Michael is a long-serving volunteer on the Warwickshire Cricket League committee and currently serves as Vice Chairman. He has been a dedicated servant to the league, playing a key role in its growth over the years. He rewrote the league regulations to incorporate new rules, ensuring smooth league operations. Additionally, he has taken on the challenging task of supporting disciplinary matters, especially during a year with a rise in incidents.
Game Changer: Fynlee Hateley of Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club
Fynlee has been a dedicated and motivated volunteer over the past year, expertly managing the administration of both adult and junior cricket programmes. He led the rollout of a new Spond system and a centralised booking process, helping reduce unfulfilled fixtures, boost participation across all age groups, and deliver record levels of annual subs, a huge contribution to the club’s success.
Outstanding Contribution – Service to Coaching: Anisha Patel of Dorridge Cricket Club
Anisha is Head of Women and Girls Cricket and lead coach at Dorridge Cricket Club (DCC), overseeing the entire programme from weekly coaching sessions to competition entries. Her leadership has transformed the section, driving record participation, two national finals appearances, a visit to Lord’s, and a West Midlands Women’s League title.
She manages every aspect of the girls’ pathway, liaising with parents, organising fixtures, and coordinating socials. Anisha leads an all-female coaching team that delivers both summer and winter training, establishing DCC as a club representing the full female cricket pathway from grassroots to professional levels. As a coach, Anisha prioritises skill development, teamwork, and inclusion.
Volunteer Grounds Team: Meon Vale Cricket Club
Bryan from Meon Vale Cricket Club embodies the spirit of this award. As a committed volunteer, he led efforts to reclaim the disused parish council pitch for the newly reformed club. He secured grant funding for equipment, prepared the square himself, and completed Foundation grounds courses to improve his knowledge. Bryan gives his time selflessly to cricket and his community.
Safe Hands: Mark Smith of Atherstone Cricket Club
Mark has done a brilliant job since taking over the safeguarding role at Atherstone Town Cricket Club, with exemplary work on the Safe Hands Management System. At a time when many clubs’ engagement with the ECB system has waned, Mark has ensured his club remains compliant and regularly updates the system, keeping safeguarding a top priority. His time, dedication, and attitude toward a safe game have truly stood out.
Young Coach of the Year: Charlotte Bulpitt of Coventry Girls Cricket Club
Since starting as a coach in November 2024, Charlotte has made an instant impact with her kind and caring approach. She leads the under 11 girls’ team with enthusiasm, developing her own coaching style and skills. Her fun, engaging sessions keep players excited to return each week. Charlotte’s willingness to try new things and share her knowledge makes her a valued member of the coaching team.
Tackling Climate Change: Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club
Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club have committed to reducing energy costs and improving sustainability, thanks to the efforts of Adam Harrison. Adam has led a range of initiatives, including replacing all lighting and sockets with energy efficient models, insulating the clubhouse, and removing heat-losing window areas. The club is also moving from gas to electric heating. These changes have delivered significant savings and strengthened the club’s long-term financial model.
Rising Star: Jess Williams of Studley Cricket Club
Jess joined Studley Cricket Club after her sister started Dynamos and quickly showed a passion for helping. She began assisting with winter training setup and progressed to assistant coach for the Studley U10 softball team. Despite having no playing background, Jess took the initiative to learn the game, scoring, and umpiring, even officiating at festivals. She recently completed the Young Leaders course and is eager to continue her coaching journey.
Unsung Hero: Jo Antcliff of Coleshill Cricket Club
In an area with limited opportunities for women’s cricket, Jo has created a welcoming space for players of all abilities. She keeps the team connected with regular updates and supports each player’s strengths, encouraging confidence and growth. Through her leadership and dedication, Jo has built a strong, inclusive group where women can learn, play, and enjoy cricket together.
Lifetime Achiever: Yudhvir Sahota of Leamington Khalsa Cricket Club
Yudhvir Sahota has been the heart and soul of Leamington Khalsa Cricket Club since founding it in 1995. Working closely with the parish council, he secured the club’s home ground at Lighthorne with year-round access, enabling the club to grow steadily over three decades. As the club’s leader, Yudh has overseen key decisions, strategic planning, and facility development, investing over £50,000 to create one of the best-equipped cricket environments in Warwickshire.
At 62, Yudh’s dedication remains unmatched; he attends every 1st XI match, following every ball from the boundary, demonstrating his deep love for the game. His commitment often means prioritising club responsibilities above personal time, setting
Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to every volunteer who continues to give their time, passion, and energy into cricket across Warwickshire and Birmingham.