Winners of Covid Heroes Awards supported by 1st Central announced

Sussex Cricket Foundation is delighted to announce the winners of its Covid Heroes Awards supported by 1st Central.

The awards were launched to recognise the incredible efforts of volunteers at Sussex’s recreational clubs in helping restart cricket during an extraordinary summer.

In total, 53 nominations were received across the Covid Heroes Awards’ nine categories. Over 6,000 votes by over 2,000 people were cast during a month-long online voting window.

The winners were:

All Stars Cricket Hero: David Glover - Findon CC

Junior Cricket Hero: Matt Peskett - Southwater CC

Social Media Engagement Hero: Sam Cooper - Southwater CC

Grounds Hero: Phil Wickwar - Burgess Hill CC

Officiating Hero: Steve Thomas - Sussex Cricket Women & Girls

Women’s Cricket Hero: Melissa Ayling - Southwater CC

Initiative of the Year: Richard Wolff - Sussex Cricket Disability

Community Hero: Harry Metters - Findon CC

Volunteer of the Year: Tim Dudgeon - Battle CC

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Sussex Cricket’s Community Cricket Director said: "As a foundation, we felt it was important to celebrate the work of volunteers who work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make cricket happen at their clubs.

“This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone and thanks to the hard work and commitment of volunteers in clubs, we were able to see the safe return of recreational cricket. Though there are 9 winners, everyone involved this year is a winner in what have been truly challenging circumstances."

Ben Tomasetti, Chief Commercial Officer at 1st Central said: “We’re very proud of our partnership with Sussex Cricket, in particular the positive impact that we’ve seen the Sussex Cricket Foundation have on the local area throughout the challenges presented by Covid-19.

“It’s testament to the range of volunteers that during this difficult summer, cricket was restarted and countless clubs came together to help participate in a successful, new format of the 1st Central Sussex Cricket League. We congratulate the winners and everyone for their efforts.”

Jon Filby, Chair of Sussex Cricket Foundation concluded: “"I am delighted that the contributions of the volunteers who make cricket in Sussex so special have been recognised in this way. Cricket has a huge part to play in bringing communities together in these difficult times.

“I would like to congratulate all of the nominees and the winners on their awards and thank everybody in all of the clubs across the county for the wonderful work that you have done this year."