Volunteers celebrated by Sussex Cricket Foundation

Over 600 volunteers from across Sussex attended The 1st Central County Ground on Sunday to watch Sussex Sharks in Royal London Cup action against Surrey, as part of the Sussex Cricket Foundation Volunteers Reward Day.

The Sussex Cricket Foundation offered out up to 10 tickets to affiliated clubs, including a ‘Pie & Pint’ voucher as a small reward for those that give so much to cricket in Sussex, with around 50 clubs taking up the offer.

Alongside these volunteers chosen by their clubs, 80 nominees for the Grassroots Cricket Awards & ECB Coach Awards were also invited with guests and the awards were presented during the interval on the hallowed turf of The 1st Central County Ground.

After watching the Sharks smash an impressive 378 for six, the crowd watched on as the winners were announced, including Andy Barnes of Chichester Priory Park CC, who took home the Lifetime Achievement Award for sixty years of service to his club.

Martin Blincow, from Rye CC won the Outstanding Contribution to Coaching for his efforts over many years in building up his club’s junior section and transitioning them into senior cricket, with over half of their players in three teams on Saturday being ex-colts.

Kate Smit-Gereats from Eastergate CC collected the ‘Growing the Game’ gong for being instrumental in doubling their junior numbers this season.

Carl Tupper, one of the three Territory Managers for Sussex Cricket Foundation said: “It’s always such a pleasure to hear of the stories and the legacies left by our amazing volunteers across Sussex.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere at the match, one of real celebration for each other’s achievements. We all know that without these individuals, that recreational cricket wouldn’t be in the fantastic position it is now and all of us at Sussex Cricket and the Foundation are eternally grateful.”

In addition to the Volunteers Day and the Grassroots Awards, as part of Sussex’s plan to reward volunteers across the County, around 50 clubs applied for the Volunteer Reward Fund, which gives clubs the chance to apply for £200 towards initiatives to reward their volunteers in their own way, which this year has seen around £8,500 reinvested back into recreational cricket.

The full list of Grassroots Award winners are:

Connecting Communities – Iain Anderson – Ansty CC

Cricket Innovators – Richard Drake – Sussex Junior Cricket Festival

Game Changer – Tyler Robertshaw – Lingfield CC

Grounds Management – Geoff Beale – Seaford CC

Growing the Game – Kate Smit-Gereats – Eastergate CC

Inspired to Play – Graeme Corbishley – Pevensey CC

Lifetime Achievement – Andy Barnes – Chichester Priory Park CC

Rising Star – Ethan Turner – Keymer & Hassocks CC

Unsung Hero – Keith Henson – Heathfield Park CC

ECB Coach of the Year Awards:

Coach of the Year – Alen Lang – Wisborough Green CC

Young Coach of the Year – Kieran Edwards – Midhurst CC

Outstanding Contribution to Coaching – Martin Blincow – Rye CC