Worcestershire's unsung cricket heroes are heading to Lord's for the OSCAs next month in recognition of their contributions to different facets of the game.
Fifty of these volunteers – ranging from groundsmen to scorers to chairmen – were recognised by Worcestershire Cricket in a presentation dinner held in the 1865 Lounge at New Road.
It is their unstinting efforts behind the scenes which help ensure club cricket flourishes throughout the county.
Now these local winners will now go forward to the Home Of Cricket and represent Worcestershire in the National Finals on October 4.
Worcestershire Cricket development director Tom Hill said: "There are people at every club who turn up to the club house before anyone arrives and are probably the last to leave and switch the lights off when everyone has gone home.
"You have groundsmen, scorers, bar attendants, chairmen, secretaries, treasurers, coaches, etc etc. These are the people that genuinely make cricket happen.
"They give us so much time and are so selfless in devoting time to cricket to give other people opportunities and that is what the OSCAs is all about.
"It was quite humbling when you hear of the service of some of the people and the dinner was a way of saying thank you to them – the clubs, players, committees, saying thank you for all the great work these people have done.
"We did the presentations to the local winners and now they will go to Lord's on October 4 to represent Worcestershire in the National Finals.
"They are brilliant days. They will get a tour of the long room, the museum, be part of a first class dinner and presentations. A lot of England players, past and present are there and Jonathan Agnew will do the presentations."
The prestigious Bill Jones Memorial Award went to the long serving John Barrett of Evesham Cricket Club.
Tom Hill said: "John has been at the club 40 years and probably done every single role there is to do including playing.
"He still manages and coaches the junior team. He is chairman and secretary of the club, is the groundsman, he scores, he fund raises.
"But on top of that he also did a lot of work with our seniors, managed our Over-50s squad so he has really devoted his life to cricket. He is fitting winner but all of the winners are unsung heroes."
The other local winners are:
Heartbeat of the Club: Chris Bland (Worcester Nomads)
Get The Game On: Kevin Davies (Ombersley)
Officiating: Roderick Lane (Worcestershire Association of Cricket Officials)
Leagues: Tony Holland (Worcestershire League)
NatWest Cricket Force: Nick Husbands (Bromsgrove)
Young Volunteer: Jamie Oliver and Nick Jones (Worcester Nomads)
School of the Year: St Matthias Primary, Malvern ECB Coach Association
Awards
Coach of the Year: Rob Miller (Enville)
Young Coach of the Year: Liam Phillips (Old Elizabethans)
Outstanding Contribution: Kevin Davies (Ombersley)
