Warwickshire Cricket Board recently honoured several local heroes from the grassroots of the game in Birmingham and Warwickshire at its annual the NatWest Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards (OSCAs).
Staged at Edgbaston Stadium, the home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Birmingham Bears, seven local heroes and heroines of the recreational game were presented with a NatWest OSCA by Warwickshire batsmen Sam Hain and Andy Umeed for their hard work in helping their clubs thrive.
- Moira Checklin of Highway Spartans CC – Heartbeat of the Club OSCA
- Moira has held many different roles at the club in recent years, including Treasurer, Youth Co-ordinator, second team scorer and U11s team manager. For many years Moira has been the heartbeat of Highway Spartans for several years and has been instrumental in welcoming new faces to the club in addition to carefully balancing the books
- Paul Stratford – Warwickshire Association of Cricket Officials OSCA
- Having returned to umpiring action this season following a hip operation, Paul is not just known for his time officiating in the Birmingham League, but in school games, county finals throughout the summer, in addition to having close relationships with several local clubs.
- Geoff Edmunds of Kenilworth CC – Get the Game On OSCA
- Acting as Chairman, groundsman and second team captain, Geoff puts in outstanding efforts to get cricket played at Kenilworth CC, with the ground often utilised by local schools and Warwickshire CCC county age group teams.
- Sara Ginn of Berswell CC & Midlands Women’s League – League OSCA
- Recognised by clubs across the county for ensuring that the Midlands Women’s Tuesday night league is thriving, whilst also being Manager for Warwickshire U17s girls team and leading Women’s Softball Festivals across the county.
- Kings Heath CC – All Stars OSCA
- Welcome 84 new children, aged four to eight years-old, for its inaugural All Stars programme with outstanding feedback from parents and children throughout the season.
- Russell Longhorne of Four Oaks Saints CC – Lifetime Achievement OSC
- Has been with the club since 1970, initially in the Under 13s team and became club captain. Aged 56, Russell is still a second team regular as well as being chairman for the last eight years.
- Gerry Bailey – Warwickshire Cricket Board OSCA
- Has occupied several voluntary roles within the game and retires this year having served as the County Welfare Officer for the last three years
Ed McCabe, General Manager of the Warwickshire Cricket Board, said: “There is a huge amount of voluntary time and effort given to ensure the successful running of a cricket club, and the NatWest OSCAs are our way of recognising the local people who make such huge contributions.
“All of our winners will now go forward to London to attend England & Wales Cricket Board’s NatWest OSCAs presentation evening, where they will be in contention for the national awards.
“Across our region, it’s been a great year for recreational cricket, especially at entry level with hundreds of new children coming into the game through our regional launch of All Stars.
“We thank all clubs and the members for their work in making the 2017 summer such a success in Birmingham and Warwickshire.
