VOLUNTEERS

Lifetime Achiever 

Dave Parsons - Hurstpierpoint CC

Dave joined the club in 1970 when he moved down to Sussex from Kent and played at least one game in each of the next 50 consecutive years, retiring in 2020. In total he scored over 22,000 runs and took over 1,200 wickets. But despite his record on the field, it’s the effort and long-standing commitment Dave’s shown off it that deserves air-time.

He continues to be the clubs League representative, still attends all League AGM’s, and has missed just one club Committee meeting in what is now 55yrs ‘not out’ at the club.

He's still as heavily involved in the club as he's always been and shows no sign of stopping. Despite not having played for the last 5yrs, he umpires every weekend for the Men's League team, home and away and in his time at the club, he's been Chairman, Secretary, bar manager, Groundsman, League captain, vice-captain, and Sunday captain. He’s still actively the clubhouse manager, also acting as treasurer for the building. He organises the cleaner, liaises with the football club over their usage across the winter and has the annual joy of sorting out all the clubs’ insurances! He is the contact point of when the alarm goes off in the night and deals with all manner of things way above the cricket that gets played over the summer. 

All of this he does without a fuss and all of which goes largely un-noticed by the wider club membership such is the way he gets on with it and it just happens and gets done.

There is one role he hasn’t ever done at the club, which is the role of treasurer, though his wife of over 40yrs did take on that role for several seasons, so it’s definitely a family affair. Despite the time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears Dave has put into the club, since moving into Sussex in 1970, he’s never actually lived in Hurstpierpoint, instead he’s always lived just under 10m away in Brighton, commuting up and down the A23 every week without fail for all 55yrs.

Over and above all this and outside of the club itself, Hurstpierpoint CC was a founding member of the Mid Sussex League and before the League re-structure, Dave lent his experience to the League Committee to help the transition of the Mid Sussex League amalgamating into the new structure, testament to his love of the game.

Dave has always had a life in cricket, the majority of which has been at Hurstpierpoint CC and as he comes to the end of his 55th consecutive year at the club, he’s never been more involved in the clubs' development than he is now. The average age of the club may have got younger but Dave’s role within the club can’t be underestimated and his continued passion and love for both the club and the game as a whole, are both unrivalled and unmatched and long may it continue.

Game Changer 

Elijah Geraets - Eastergate CC

This season, we’ve seen a brilliant example of leadership and passion from one of our young players, who has stepped forward to support an exciting new format we’re running at the club to inspire very young cricketers. Designed to introduce children to the game in a fun, accessible way, this new initiative has been energised by his consistent presence and enthusiasm. 

Each week, he arrives early, engages positively with the children, and helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment for families joining us for the first time. What makes his contribution so special is the natural connection he builds with the young players, leading by example, demonstrating skills, and encouraging them with every catch, throw, and smile. In preparation for this, he took it upon himself to complete his coaching support certificates over the winter, demonstrating real commitment to giving back to the game and ensuring he could contribute meaningfully from day one. 

Alongside his training work, he’s also taken on regular responsibilities in junior matches, supporting with umpiring and scoring to ensure our games run smoothly and fairly. His maturity, reliability, and love for the sport have not gone unnoticed, and he’s fast becoming a key part of our junior cricket setup. By stepping up in this way, he’s helping to build something that will benefit future players for years to come, a true role model within our club’s cricketing community.

Rising Star 

Ella Bartholomew - Lewes Priory CC

Ella has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to the development of players across multiple age groups within our club. On a weekly basis, she voluntarily gives her time to support both the U9 and U11 coaches during training sessions, providing consistent and reliable assistance. Her maturity, professionalism, and passion for the game set her apart as an emerging leader within our coaching community.

In addition to her general support, Ella regularly delivers one-to-one coaching, working with individual players to develop technical skills and build confidence. She displays remarkable patience and the ability to adapt her approach to meet the needs of each child, ensuring they feel supported and encouraged. By sharing knowledge gained through her own experience in the sport, she plays a key role in helping younger players progress from training into competitive match play.

Ella has also made valuable contributions beyond the junior section. On several occasions, she has taken responsibility for coaching the women’s softball team, introducing players to the fundamentals of batting and bowling. Her structured yet approachable style has enabled many participants to develop core skills and the confidence to fully enjoy the game.

Looking ahead, Ella has expressed a clear ambition to progress into a managerial role by leading one of our girls’ teams. Given her proven commitment, skillset, and ability to inspire those around her, we are confident she will excel in this capacity and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the development of female players.

Ella’s voluntary service, coaching ability, and evident leadership potential make her an outstanding candidate for national recognition. She embodies the values of dedication, inclusivity, and passion for cricket, and is a role model for both current and future generations of players.

Outstanding Contribution to Coaching 

Barney Spencer - Broadwater CC

Life and soul of the club is the absolute definition of Barney Spencer.  He has single handedly worked to grow the colts section at Broadwater CC, which has grown considerably this season.  

The Green has seen up to 60 young players at a time training and this is down to the positive atmosphere that Barney creates with his excitable manner and great way he has with developing young players, especially our mini Broadies (10 years old and below), who love his interactive and fun sessions.  

This has resulted in not only players being selected for the Sussex pathway, but more importantly the amount of colts games played being tripled this season from the previous year, which takes more work behind the scenes and Barney epitomises this with early starts and late finishes, lots of match planning and communication, working with the like of Toyota to support our colts section financially, as well as being a major part of the clubs Cricket week, where not only did Barney support the delivery of all 4 matches, but provided BBQs, as head Chef for each game in that week, which took some doing.  

This goes above and beyond in terms of being so much more than a voluntary coach, as Barney has such a positive impact on so many young lives. Barney is Broadwater CC and is thoroughly deserving of being nominated for such a reward.

Young Coach of the Year 

Elliot Scott - Chichester Priory Park CC

Elliot has been a Chichester player since he was 10 years old. He has played for all the junior teams and now plays 1s cricket. In the close season the Club advertised for a new Head Coach for our senior teams. 

In his third year of a Coaching Degree at Chichester University and having completed his Core Level qualification in 2024,  and assisted with junior coaching for the previous 2 years then Elliot put his name forward. His love of the Club, enthusiasm and desire to develop a coaching career made him a stand out appointment. 

This is despite his age and experience. In his first season Elliot has focused on introducing specific sessions for 14-17 year olds looking to progress into senior cricket, 1s and 2s performance training and to re-invigorate our club training night with record numbers. Elliot is understated in everything he does but commands huge respect and trust from everyone at the Club.

Unsung Hero 

Mark Pavlovic - Roffey CC

Mark is the epitome of an Unsung Hero. He has spent his 25 years as a Roffey member volunteering in various capacities, all without ever soliciting a word of praise.

He currently holds the roles of Treasurer, League Representative and Fixtures Secretary, the latter of which involves him being Principle PlayCricket Administrator for Roffey. 

As Treasurer since 2017 (previous to which he was Assistant Treasurer) Mark oversees the club’s finances through thick and thin. He manages budgets, approves payments and monitors cashflow; a critical but hidden role. 

As League Representative and Fixtures Secretary, Mark works tirelessly to ensure that every team at Roffey has fixtures arranged, results recorded, and all necessary administration around player registrations completed. He diligently represents the club, and always supports team captains to navigate league cricket. 

Mark’s impact has been particularly acute in the past 12 months as Roffey grows: to seamlessly represent and manage fixtures for a Premier League Cub that now has 18 adult and junior teams is no mean feat. 

In addition to Mark’s current roles, he’s previously managed several junior teams, always deflecting recognition onto others. You can also always depend on his help with any wider club activity or maintenance. 

Mark is committed, diligent and humble. He plugs away in the background, without a word of complaint. I have no doubt that 95% of Roffey members have no idea how much we rely on Mark, but he deserves so much thanks for his pivotal role in Roffey’s success and ongoing operation. 

Inspired to Play 

David Thompson - Ferring CC

This season, David Thompson has championed an important message: that individuals living with diabetes or other chronic illnesses can fully participate in—and enjoy—the game of cricket. To promote this, David pledged to donate £1 for every run he scored in weekend matches, while actively encouraging teammates and fellow clubs to contribute alongside him.

However, his campaign goes far beyond fundraising. David’s core aim has been to challenge perceptions and inspire others by showing that chronic illness need not be a barrier to achievement. His efforts have focused on promoting resilience, inclusion, and the belief that with determination, anything is possible.

To support this message, David has taken informational leaflets to every match he’s played, engaging with players and spectators to raise awareness of Diabetes UK—a charity that has supported him throughout his 30-year journey as a Type 1 diabetic. He also arranged for a dedicated sponsorship board to be displayed at Ferring Cricket Club’s pavilion, ensuring that visiting teams and supporters are introduced to the campaign. This initiative has been further amplified through local press and social media channels.

In a highlight of the season, David organised a charity fixture featuring his Diabetes UK XI against a Cancer Research XI, bringing together players and supporters in a spirited match that celebrated both causes and significantly boosted awareness and donations.

To date, David’s JustGiving page has raised over £5,000 for Diabetes UK—a remarkable achievement that continues to gain traction across Sussex. You can support or follow the campaign here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-thompson-run-for-diabetesuk?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015

The Metro Bank Champion of Girls' Cricket 

Bethany Tagg - Buxted Park CC

Bethany Tagg has been the driving force behind the remarkable rise of girls’ cricket at Buxted Park Cricket Club, a club steeped in history since its establishment in 1867. As the golden thread connecting every aspect of this initiative, Beth has made history by leading the first three girls' cricket matches ever played at the club. Her unwavering leadership and passion have been instrumental in inspiring a new generation of players.

From attending winter planning meetings as the Women’s and Girls’ Lead to speaking enthusiastically at a pizza and cricket introduction evening, Beth’s commitment has never faltered. She has been a constant presence throughout the weekly sessions she has led since April, creating a welcoming and empowering environment for all.

Her efforts have led to an incredible transformation at the club, with 20 girls now actively participating in the sport—many of whom had never played cricket before. Beth’s ability to engage, motivate, and foster a sense of belonging has made her a true role model, and her dedication to growing girls’ cricket deserves recognition.

Bethany Tagg exemplifies the spirit of The Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket award. Her work not only champions participation but also ensures the sustainability and growth of girls’ cricket at Buxted Park Cricket Club for years to come.

Grounds Team of the Year 

Aldwick CC - Alex Cooper & Team

The quality of the pitches & wickets and the amount of matches we have had this season is impressive. The grounds team all work full time yet manage to find time to prepare a grass pitch for the HUGE amount of matches we have played. They are so dedicated to the ground that U11 even get a grass wicket which definitely does not happen at many other clubs. 

Year on year our club grows bringing more and more fixtures to the calendar and yet they still manage to provide us with a great quality strip. This season we have an additional woman's team and junior teams and we still arrive to a pitch marked out ready for action. 

Thank you so much gents for the hours and hours and hours of time you all give up to give Aldwick home games the best deal possible.

Safe Hands Award

Suzanne Child - Steyning CC

Suzanne is a permanent member of the main Committee as our Club Safeguarding Officer and has been so for a number of years. The CSO is an increasingly important role which endures throughout the year. She has had to deal with many issues over the years and always imparts good knowledge and sound judgement. 

She is responsible for the maintenance and application of the Safe Hands Management System and interacts with Sussex Cricket League as necessary. Suzanne is a regular scorer for one of our League teams, a team which is largely made up of young players including females, and provides important "off field" support for the captain of that team.

Growing the Game

Matt Camp - Slinfold CC

Matt Camp has been nothing short of transformational for Slinfold Cricket Club. His tireless commitment and visionary leadership have elevated cricket across all levels—from grassroots to competitive formats—while fostering a vibrant, inclusive club culture.

He has been a leader on and off the pitch. Matt’s influence spans far beyond match days. As the driving force behind the T20 Slam across three counties, he orchestrates both men's and women's tournaments with precision and passion. His role as Slam Trophy captain for midweek games is matched by his leadership as 3rd XI captain, where he mentors younger players every Saturday, nurturing the next generation of cricketers.

Matt has spearheaded the development of women’s cricket at Slinfold, achieving milestone after milestone:

·        Indoor league participation during winter

·        Victory in a 6-a-side tournament

·        Formation of the club’s first-ever all-girls team

·        Winning the SCF softball group stage

·        Launching competitive women’s hardball cricket for the first time

Matt’s impact on junior cricket is profound. He coaches the Under 9s with enthusiasm and care, guiding them through the Sussex Junior Regional  League. He’s also introduced a bespoke coaching programme for Years 4–6, running weekly softball sessions every Friday evening from May to August. His stewardship of the All Stars programme ensures even the youngest players find joy and confidence in the game.

From setting up and managing the club website to promoting fixtures, socials, and fundraisers across digital channels, Matt keeps the club connected and thriving. His Friday afternoons are spent setting up coaching sessions, and when he’s not playing, he’s umpiring or helping with ground duties—always ensuring the game goes on.

Matt Camp exemplifies what it means to grow the game—not just by numbers, but by heart. His work is a blueprint for how one person’s passion can ripple across a community and leave a legacy that lasts.