The Yorkshire Cricket Board honoured the volunteers in cricket at a ceremony held in the Indoor Cricket Centre on Thursday 5th August celebrating outstanding achievements. Board Chairman Philip Radcliffe, Vice Chairman Albert Pattison, Director of Development Andrew Watson and ECB Regional vManager Phil Nedley presented the following Awards...

Building Partnerships

A volunteer who has created sustainable partnerships with other organizations

Winner: Stephen Williams, BLackley C C

Within his own club, Blackley CC, since joining as a playing member in 1964, Steve has undertaken numerous roles (Steve still turns out occasionally when needed!): Managed the U17s for a number of years ,Club Development Officer, Bar Treasurer., Junior Co-ordinator,   Bar Team Leader, Ground maintenance.  Steve has been instrumental in the rapid development of the club, and Steve has been heavily involved in organizing & assisting annual community schools festivals with local primary schools benefiting around 20 schools. Steve is also currently coaching & managing a fast established new Women’s team at the club.

Outside of his club commitments, Steve has dndertaken  a number of roles  developing partnerships which benefit many other clubs & organisations involved within the Sport.  These include development of the highly rated Calderdale CDG, currently Treasurer. organises & helps run a number of coach/volunteer workshops. He is Clubmark Nominated Officer for Calderdale, but also travels to Leeds/Kirklees & Bradford to support other clubs

Runner Up: Andrew Payling, Frecheville  C C

He has forged a valuable relationship with Birley Community College,  making the Frecheville CCs resources accessible to the family of schools and after attending a disability working session he has again worked tirelessly for his club to work and forge links with disability schools, by organizing and supplying coaches to attend disability schools and events., coaches  cricket at Disability schools and events.and also coaches  cricket at the South Yorkshire Girls Cricket sessions.

Leagues and Boards

A dedicated individual who has achieved sustainable results  for a League

Winner: Brian Wheeler, Airedale JCL Aire-Wharfe CDG, West Yorks W&G Halifax Cricket League

Brian is nominated for his dedication and commitment to junior cricket development in the Airedale-Wharfedale and West Yorkshire areas. He is Chairman of the Airedale Junior Cricket League and has been for many years introducing Under 11 cricket in 1998 to add to the Under 13 s, Under 15s and Under 17s structure. Then in 2003 he encouraged clubs to support an Under 9s league. He is also manager of the Leagues and areas  U13s team in the Yorkshire Lords Taverners inter-league competition. He is especially supportive of girl’s cricket and has helped some clubs put girls only teams into the league with a years advantage in the playing qualifications

He is Secretary of the West Yorkshire Women and Girls Cricket Development Group overseeing the excellent development of the area through accessing grants and developing coaching initiatives. He has helped many clubs form junior sections.He is also secretary of the Airedale and Wharfedale Cricket Development Group ensuring good practice is spread across the area and organising coaching , scoring, First Aid  and Safeguarding courses

Brian is also Treasurer of the Yorkshire Cricket Association ( representing clubs and league on the Board). He is a past secretary of Yorkshire Womens Cricket Association and now sits on the Yorkshire Cricket Board as Chairman of the Yorkshire Womens Sub-Committee.

Runner Up: Ian Livesey, YCA - Halifax & Huddersfield ACC

Ian has spent 25 years with his club Flockton in various officer positions. He has been on the Halifax and Huddersfield Area Cricket Council for 16 years as Huddersfield Central league representative and has been Area Council Treasurer for 11 years and Secretary for 6 years. y. He has represented the Area Council on YCA for 13 years. He is also on the Huddersfield Central League executive.Latterly he has been  the YCB Clubs and leagues secretary for 3 years and Disciplinary Officer for 2 years - all in all a huge commitment to cricket

NatlWest Cricket Force

A volunteer or group of volunteers who made an outstanding contribution to this event

Winner: Alison Slack, Fishlake C C

Alison Slack is secretary of Fishlake Cricket Club, a club in a small South Yorkshire village and was the co-ordinator and visionary for the club in the 2010 NatWest CricketForce ensuring the club were a county showcase club. She organised the schedule of works to be completed including  total redecoration inside the club, new disabled facilities, insulation of the loft, painting of the scorebox and verandah and repair of the net areas.

She engaged with members to become involved in the project which saw 50 volunteers on the Saturday and 34 on the Sunday. She publicised the event before and after with photographs for display in the clubhouse .She contacted and visited local suppliers for assistance resulting in many valuable donations. Junior members were including in painting benches etc so every club member took ownership of the event

Many in the club had been sceptical of the targets but the club due to her organisation and leadership achieved all that was set out to do within the budget and on time. It was a massive success for the club and without Alison the event would not have occurred or been so successful

Runner Up: Scarborough Cricket Club

Five volunteers  worked individually and as a team taking responsibility for different projects in the Scarborough National Showcase NatWest CricketFrorce. Their dedication, enthusiasm and motivation were inspirational to others. They were not daunted by the size of the ground or project to make the ground a better place to play and watch cricket. They never sought reward but went about the job in hand with endless hors put. Scabrorough C C is a Better place for having these stalwarts around

Officiating – Umpirng and Scoring

An individual who has raised the profile of officiating within the county

Winner: Terry Bentham, South Yorkshire

Since 1975 Terry has umpired in the Doncaster League, South Riding, (now the South Yorkshire Senior League), Humber Don and various other local evening leagues.  He passed his umpiring examination in 1979  has passed the 1100 match mark.  Included in those are several County board matches, two day under 17 county matches, a and many finals. He has served on the South Yorkshire League committee since 1991 and is currently the League Chairman

In 1995 when the South Yorkshire League Umpires Association was formed he became its secretary and a year later also became its treasurer, positions he still holds.  During this time he has overseen the increase in that league from three to five divisions and has been instrumental in recruiting more umpires.  They now have an active list of 80 and a supplementary list of 15 and are able to cover all thirty league games with two umpires most weeks. In 2002-2010 he furthered the cause of officiating immensely by insisting all league umpires must be members of ECB ACO , a route other leagues are following.

In 2009 he took it upon himself to attend and ECBACO assessor’s course and has recently taken and passed part two of the course. As a result of this he has just been appointed as the Chief Assessor for the Yorkshire area which has now resulted in him being appointed onto the YCBACO committee.  He has made himself available to assess or arrange for umpires to be assessed in this area when called upon to do so.

Services to Umpiring

An Umpire who had given long-term service and made a difference to umpiring

Winner: Stephen Sykes, Huddersfield  C L

Stephen Sykes has given a huge service to umpiring  in West Yorkshire in league and cup cricket and some representative games and has always been any example to follow with his knowledge dedication and commitment. He is currently a stalwart of the Drakes Huddersfield  League. He has also run  the Black Sheep Champions Trophy for many years but it is an  umpire of long service that he is receiving this award

Services to Scoring

An Umpire who had given long-term service and made a difference to scoring

Joint Winner: John Durgan. Mytholmroyd C C

He has scored for over 40 years, starting in 1968, for Mytholmroyd’s first eleven. He occasionally scores for the second team if they have a cup match on Sunday. He never misses a game and is considered to be part of the team and NOT just the scorer. His scorebook is immaculate and at home games always keeps the scoreboard up to date.
He is very well respected throughout the Halifax League. John has also scored for the Halifax League Representative side for 12 years.

Joint Winner: Maureen Walker, Idle C C

Maureen has being scoring for over 40 years. She scored for 15 years at Laisterdyke
CC and for the last 21 years has been scoring for Idle CC 1st XI, in the Bradford
Cricket League. Although she has now retired from full time employment and moved to Knaresborough, she continues to carry out her duties and assisting the club.    During her time scoring at Idle, she has taught a number of our junior members scoring, who has gone on to score and play at the club.

Services to Groundsmanship

A Groundsman who has given long-term service to groundsmanship and their club

Winner: Tom Thorpe, Copley  C C

Tom joined Copley nearly 60 years ago and his life has revolved around the club ever since. He has taken a leading role in all the key developments and ground improvements the club has ever made assuming the role of groundsman for the last 30 years.  The square at Copley has enjoyed constant love and attention and has consistently produced some of the best pitches in the area enabling Copley to host a stream of representative matches and cup finals. With the growth of junior cricket Tom has continues to produce excellent pitches  and even a heart attack a few years ago has not stopped him going to work at the club every day. In recent years he has shared his knowledge with a generation of willing helpers. His craft has benefited thousands of local cricketers of all ages for many decades

Runner Up: Tommy Powell, Green Lane C C

Tommy Powell has been a loyal member of Green Lane C C for 44 years and has been grounds man for the last 40 years as well as spells as both 1st X1 and 2nd X1 captain. He is also a qualified coach with a lifetime of committee work. He is known throughout the league as a groundsman and works on a number of other grounds in the area which are all highly commended across the Aire-Wharfe League and has had a huge influence on the improvement of many grounds and squares

Clifford Smith Award for Services to Youth Representative Cricket

An individual who has given a life-long commmitment to youth representative cricket

Winner: John Fishwick, East Yorkshire C A

John Fishwick is a legend in East Yorkshire. He has coached on the Pathways and Sub-Pathways system in East Yorkshire for boys and girls since their inception and has always been linked with East Yorkshire CA and schools representative cricket  and with Joe Lumb  and Lords Taverners teams at some stage. He is also the District Cricket convenor and a District Cricket manager. Such men are the key to representative cricket below county level and therefore provide the base and pathways which enables county age group cricket to thrive and boys and girls to develop their skills. He has spent a selfless amount of time on young people and their pathways

Services to Coaching Young People

A coach who has inspired young people and made a difference over many years

Winner: John Skinner, North Stainley C C

John started the coaching back in 2002in this small village club with 6 children,[ not his own ! ] This has now grown to 70+. He has given up his own time every Sunday evening from Easter to the  end of August every year and now has a few parents helping, but he is the only qualified coach. One boy aged 11 has now been picked for North Yorkshire. He arranges 5 indoor teams in the winter and 4 teams in the summer.  His enthusiasm never stops and the children all have a fantastic time.

Runner Up: Graham Ellis, Treeton C C 

Graham has been a club member, player and junior coach/organizer for more than 25 years. He oversees all junior cricket aspects of the club and has a tremendous social skill when working with young people. has done. He was until recently the CWO and he is a qualified ACU and umpires in the local senior league. He had been until recently the club secretary for some 25 years .He is very well known and respected within the local cricket game and with the young people he coaches

Services to Cricket Coaching

A coach who has created a legacy through the development of coaching and increased activity

Winner: Ian Hales, Almondbury Wesleyans YCB Coaches Association, Huddersfield Coaches

He started as a junior at Almondbury Wesleyans  and is still involved there 40 years on.
He as been   1st and 2nd X1 captain and now captains the 3rd X1. His last ten or more years have been involved in coaching at junior level.

But his nomination is for his role in the YCN Pathways Centre at Heckmondwike  for many years and for his roles in the Huddersfield Branch of the YCB CA. But more than this he is Coaches course tutor, Assessor and Internal Verifier, Chairman of the YCB Coaches Association and of the YCB Coach Education Management Group overseeing the huge improvement in the training and qualification coaches  ( and their numbers) across Yorkshire

He is also the Yorkshire representative to Northern ECBACO Forum and the Northern
Representative to the ECBCA  National Forum. He is shaping the future of players and cricket by shaping the future of coaching itself and its development

Runner Up: John Cliff Copley C C

He qualified as a coach in 1976 and set up the Calderdale Association of Cricket Coaches with Fred Hemmingway and Ian Steen in 1976 and has held the position of treasurer ever since. He introduced winter coaching at Hipperholme & Lightcliffe school in 1976 and has organised and coached at this event every year since. Many of the players within the Halifax league and surrounding have attended these nets over the past 34 years and all have benefited from John's guidance and coaching. He has also held coaching sessions at his first club Illingworth St Mary's every week for 10 years and managed their junior sides. He now assists with coaching at Copley CC and is seen as the father figures of coaches thoughout the league. Also John was treasurer of Illingworth for 4 years, has been treasurer of Copley CC since 2003 and is the chairman of the Calderdale CDG.

Outstanding Coaching Achievement

A coach who has made a significant difference in shaping the lives of cricketers

Winner: Maurice Young, Bentley C C

Maurice has dedicated himself tirelessly to Cricket for over 50 years both in Pro Cricket and local Community Cricket. He has been an inspiration to the thousands of youngsters that he has coached over the years.Over the last 2 years Maurice has lifted a Cricket Club running only 1 adult team to a Club very close to achieving Club mark with Junior League teams at every level and age groups including B teams and girl’s teams. This is a truly remarkable achievement in such a short space of time.

Maurice has been a dream to work with and an absolute honor to be involved with. His particular strength lies in inspiring young people to take up the sport of Cricket. Bentley CC is once more alive and buzzing and very definitely ticks the Every Child Matters Agenda and particularly in such a deprived area as ours.  Maurice represents everything that is Community Spirit and it is impossible to speak highly enough about his work and him as a person

Runner Up: Dennis Verity, Illingworth St Marys C C

Dennis has  coached junior players at Illingworth since 1980 and also managed the junior sides. Dennis has been coaching in local primary schools since 1995. Since the 1980 Dennis has coached at the Hipperholme & Lightcliffe nets run by the Calderdale Coaches Association of which he has been Chairman since 2000. He arranges all ECB coaching courses in Calderdale.

Young Coach of the Year

A coach under 25 years who has made a clear impact with schools, clubs and the community in 2010

Winner: Laura Payling,Frecheville C C

Aged 21 Laura took and passed her UKCC Level 2 Cricket Coaching course during the winter.  Laura has assisted at after school sessions for cricket teams organizing Frecheville’s ground as a venue for school matches, coaching our 2009 Y7 committing to future events, assisting in running the Y5 Kwik Cricket Festival at F.C.C.C, visiting primary feeder schools, coaching and preparing the students for the festival. She also works with Activity Sheffield, coaching cricket and coaches cricket at Disability schools and events.

She also coaches  cricket at the South Yorkshire Girls Cricket sessions and is now on the committee and has been asked to manage the under 15’s girls team this coming season, after being assistant manager last season. She also takes lead roles in the coaching sessions being run. At the last meeting she was asked to represent the S.Y.G.G. on the YCB Womens Sub-Committeeat meeting to be held at Y.C.B. to which she has accepted. She have also undertaken managers duties this season taking on the Under 9’s team along with the South Yorkshire  under 15’s Girls team, organizing teams match day duties.

Runner Up: Dan Bamforth, Higham C C 

Dan is just 19 but puts the majority of his spare time into coaching the junior section. The clubs have 2 sides at under 13 and 1 at under 17 and wherever there is a game or practice session Dan is there. He also gives up some of his time to coach children and the local primary school and, hopefully, he will be coaching at other schools in the local area soon.

His biggest impact over the past 12 months has been with grant funding where he has secured grants for an artificial wicket and for a bowling machine, fielding machine and various aids for junior coaching. Dan is extremely active on the fundraising side, obtaining a number of items for a successful auction and is also at the front of our push to achieve the Clubmark accredition.. Dans latest project is to secure funding for a new pavilion and, although the cost of the project is high, I have no doubts that with his enthusiasm and drive, and with a little help, he will achieve his, and the clubs, dream in the not too distant future. Dan is now an ECB Level 2 coach and has also been on the development courses at the start of 2010 and his dedication to Higham Cricket Club and the junior section in particular is immense

Services to Black Minority Ethnic Cricket

An individual who has had long-term service and made a difference to Black Minority Ethnic Cricket

Winner: Farid Karolia, Batley and Dewsbury area

He has always bewen a member of the YCB Black Minority Ethnic CricketForum and despite some health problems he has always managed to show a brave face and coach and manage teams in the Dewsbury’s Batley area  at Mount and now at Batley . Over the years he has shown how cricket can break down social ,and cultural barriers ,and he has done this over the years with his mild manner, and his willing to put himself forward on committees and leagues in order to further the game of cricket .  He was of the founding members of the Dewsbury BME Development centre and the dedication and community links with the local community at the Dewsbury’s /Batley area has been invaluable

Runner Up: Alph Weekes, Caribbean C C

He has been involved with Caribbean C C for many years  being Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer over long periods. For the past 18 years he has been Co-Ordinator of the Junior. The club is a multi racial, religious and cultural one in all aspects andhe has showed his skills in dealing with young people who are Muslim, Christina , Hindu , Jew etc . Most of the senior teams are filled with juniors coming through his programmes

Barbara Hare Award for Services to Womens Cricket

An individual who has had  long-term service and made a difference to Womens Cricket

Winner: Pauline Heath, South Yorkshire W&G

She is a former Yorkshire player and also believe that she supported the women’s county game as scorer for many years. More recently she has devoted much time and energy to support the development of girl’s cricket in South Yorkshire and has led this initiative single handedly until recently.She has coached girls and women for many years and now has taken a bit of a back seat as more volunteers have come forward.There is little doubt that but for Pauline’s involvement in South Yorkshire, and for the county, girls and women’s cricket would not have made the progress that it has made and she leaves a excellent legacy behind in the south of the county.

Services to Disability Cricket

A dedicated individual who has made a huge difference in the availability of cricket for those with a disability

Winner: John Garbett, Yorkshire VI team

John of Wakefield, 46, is a trustee of the charities : National Association of Disabled Football supporters and Blind Cricket England and Wales. Although John did not play blind cricket to 2007, in the following year he was a member of the England team which went to Australia and won the Blind Ashes. In 2008 John was appointed the Blind Cricket England & Wales Development Officer and amongst other tasks set about re-establishing Blind/Vi Cricket in Yorkshire. The Yorkshire VI team emerged by the end of the year and it has gone from strength to strength competing in Leagues and Cups in 2010

John has dealt with all the administration, fixtures, training sessions, funding, coaches and transport as well as  newsletters and relationships with key partners and schools and clubs. He also with others became the first VI cricketers to take the ECB UKCC Level 1 Coaches Award. He has ensured Blind./VI cricket is thriving in Yorkshire and is an inspiration to others

Disability Achiever of the Year

A player or official from a disability group who has achieved highly in 2010 and so raised the aspirations of others

Winner: Darrell Sykes, Almondbury Wesleyans , England Deaf

Darrell is an extremely talented profoundly deaf sportsman, playing Cricket and Football for the Deaf England sides. As far as his club is concerned however Darrell has been a tremendous asset in the last twelve months. Last season (2009) he took 68 League wickets at 8.71 and scored 221 runs at an average of 36.83. These performances, along with other team members, were an integral part of the promotion to the Arrow Huddersfield Central League Premier Section. Darrel has also helped a colleague from the first team to teach club members sign language to enable us to communicate better with him. The one thing which we all notice is his ability, not his disability which makes him a great role model for our junior players

Runner Up: Haydon Coventry, Yorkshire Terriers

Haydon has taken over the captaincy of the of the Physical and Learning Disabilities team - Yorkshire Terriers -  this year and has led by example  with captaincy that encourages others and some very solid batting performances

Young Disability Performer of the Year

Winner:  Liam Thomas, Yorkshire Terriers

Liam is a 16 year old below knee amputee wicketkeeper. He plays mainstream cricket with Scholes and also with Woodlands Under 17s team in the Bradford Junior League. This year he has starred with the county team , the Yorkshire Terriers  and attended  a regional selection weekend successfully at Malvern College in July, He is tipped for England

Runner Up: James Foster,  Driffield Town

15 year old James Foster of Driffield Town is Deaf to the extent he is qualified to play for England Deaf. He has played with Scarborough Lords Taverners teams for 3 years and for the U15s this year. He opens the batting for Driffield Juniors and also bowls and in addition plays in adult cricket. He never lets his disability hinder his performance - an achiever

Ralph Pritchard Award for the Volunteer of the Year

An individual whose volunteering in 2010 has truly made a difference

Winner: Richard Storer, Hallam C C

Secretary of Hallam CC for more than 20 years, Richard Storer has been instrumental in the club’s growth to become a significant club in South Yorkshire with six senior and 14 junior teams and more than 250 members.  An outstanding wicket keeper in his playing days, Richard was the founder of the club’s junior section and subsequently went on to establish the Sheffield under 11 district team which he coached for many years.  His position as deputy head of Tapton School in Sheffield has been key in the network of club-school links the Club has established.  Among many other qualifications, Richard is a qualified coach and umpire and still manages one of the Club’s under 11 teams as well as umpiring senior team games on a regular basis.More recently, Richard has been a driving force behind the Club’s development of a second ground.  From cutting the overgrown outfield to making grant applications, Richard’s involvement in the project has been indispensable.  Whenever anything needs doing at Hallam Cricket Club, Richard is there to do it.

Runner Up: John Slack, Sheffield Transport

Whilst his core roles are the Secretary and Treasurers activities he also runs junior teams and helps coaching. He first became Secretary of Transport  in 1988 (at 18) and whilst he has not continually done both roles he has moved around in posts depending where he has been needed but has probably done 17/18 years as the Secretary. As a small club that was probably enough for most but 5 years ago he played an important commitment that has seen the club grow from 1 adult team (nearly folding) to 10 teams (3 Adult and 7 Junior) in the space of 5 years. All increases in teams have been pushed by John which has increased participation in cricket in the local area. One of the teams set up is an all Girls team which he manages which won the Yorkshire U13 Lady Taverners event. John has built partnerships with other local clubs where some players who have moved through the age ranges of teams are recommended to the other club.

Young Volunteer of the Year

A young volunteer under 21 years who has made a difference  in 2009

Winner: Charlie Redfearn, Rotherham Phoenix C C

Charlie joined the club as a junior cricket 3 years ago and whilst he will never be the best cricketer, he more than makes up for this with the other work he does for the club and is more valuable than any other junior ever seen at the club. No matter what needs doing Charlie will volunteer, get stuck in and is truly passionate about the club. Whilst only being 16, he DJs and volunteers his services free of charge to all club functions which over the past couple of years has helped us raise thousands of pounds. Charlie constantly asks  what work needs doing around the ground and he is quite a handyman, cutting the grass, painting screens and benches, you name it he will do it.

Last year the club hosted the Whitworth Cup Final. On the morning of the game he was at the ground at 7am (he also dragged his Dad along) and he helped with the setup, stewarded on the car park and setup his sound/PA system which we used throughout the day. In the week before the game we also held a league representative game where he was up on his ladders helping put black sheets on the sight screens, helping the organisation of the day and then tidying up the ground ready for the final. The feedback the club  got on how the ground looked after the games was second to none and largely down to his efforts. Charlie was recognised for his efforts at the end of last year when he won both the Rotherham and South Yorkshire Sport ‘Young Volunteer of the Year’ and recently became the first under 18 to be chosen as the ‘Clubman of the Year’. His work has continued this year, and he is now looking to get more involved in wicket preparation. His energy is unrelenting 

Runner Up: Sam Mason, Fishlake C C

Sam is an 18 year old club volunteer and junior role model. He is a qualified Level 2 coach and coaches juniors on training nights, Enjoy cricket days and club taster days. He is also Team Manager for the Club U17s and responsible for selection, training and guidance. Sam is a vital link in the club/school coaching structure bringing masses of fun and enthusiasm to the children. He also actively promotes the club and facilities in the local community. Since turning 18 he has become a regular face BEHIND the bar and is always willing to get involved at any club function. He shares his passion for cricket to benefit his club and others

Behind the Scenes

The clubman of the year - someone who a club could not do without

Winner: Brian Calverley, Hunslet Nelson C C Heavy Wollen JCL

Brian has been club secretary from 1984 to the present day. In 1985 he qualified  as a coach and has coached at the club to the present day He presently coaches the Under9s , Under 11s and Under 15s and helps with Under13s and Under 17s. In 1990 he took on the role as club groundsman  and went on the IOG courses  and is still doing the job in 2010

From 1987 to 2005 he was Secretary of the Heavy Woollen Junior Cricket League  ( one of the major Junior Leagues in Yorkshire). Since 1987 he has coached the League representative teams at Under 17., Under 15, Under 13 and Under 11 levels . They participate with great success in the  county wide inter league competitions  ( U17s Joe Lumb,Under11s/13s/15s in the Lords Taverners festivals). For the past 15 years he has also organised a league cricket tour for the U16s and recently also the U14s. He has shown a commitment and devotion to cricket  and young people as well as to the community of South Leeds second to none

Runner Up:  Michael Hope, Bowling Old Lane  C C 

Michael has had a lifelong connection to Bowling Old Lane C C, starting out as a player before progressing to committee member, secretary and now club chairman. He has also been involved with junior cricket for many years and is and has been the  chairman of the Bradford Junior League for the last 30 years as well as representing that League on the Joe Lumb Competition.

He is still the bedrock at Bowling Old Lane  for which he  is really honoured

Lifetime Achiever

An individual who has made an outstanding difference to cricket over a sustained period

Winner: Harry Jackson, Humbleton  C C

Harry has been Groundsman since 1946. and has poured his heart and soul into Humbleton Cricket Club for the last 64 years.  The  facilities and grounds are maintained at the highest possible standard.  The square and outfield is meticulously prepared & maintained throughout the season, enabling club members & spectators to fully enjoy the game of cricket. He still works on the ground every day during the season

As Club  Secretary since 1947,  several leather bound ledgers meticulously record every detail of the club, from club minutes, to player contact details, fixture changes and even funding opportunities for the club.  Since 1952 Harry has raised funds through the Christmas raffle.  He scours the local area, seeking donations and prizes from local farmers, business’s and prominent families..  He supervises and accounts for all tickets issued, the annual ‘ticket folding’ ceremony and the draw itself.  Raising in excess of £1000  a year for a small village club. The view of club members is “ Without Harry where would Humbleton be ?

Runner Up: Maurice Bell, Ovington C C

Maurice joined Ovington on leaving the Air Force in 1952 as a player. By 1959 he became groundsman. Ten years later he also took on the responsibility of Club Secretary, later stepping as a treasurer. He occupied these roles until 1992, with the expansion of the club and increase in teams, volunteers were found to relieve him of the secretarial and treasury roles so he could solely focus on the ground. The club play on Council owned land and in his time, Maurice has transformed the ground into being one of the best in the York Vale League, As he is now in his 80th year, he still prepares pitches for 2 senior and 6 junior sides, as well providing pitches for the local school on our ground. He is also president of the York Charity Cups, served on the York Senior League umpires panel for many years and is a life member of the York Umpires Branch. Words are not enough to describe his dedication to Cricket

George Reah Special Award

A special individual who qualified to win in many categories for a lifetime‘s dedication  to cricket

Winner: Sarah Pickford  Yorkshire Womens C A

Sarah had the enviable task of taking over the reigns as chair of the Yorkshire Womens C A  committee after the retirement of Barbara Hare, an impossible act to follow. Sarah had a much different approach to Barbara but had set out clear, aims, objectives and goals, and her tireless enthusiasm for these is what  is remembered. Sarah was never afraid to shy aware from a difficult situation if she thought the outcome was for the best of the people playing the sport and there development, and it is this ethos which has been key to the success of the Yorkshire women’s cricket team has seen over the last few years, following a real short fall of experienced players.

Sarah took over at a very difficult time, but has in a short time made some vast improvements and the results for the junior and senior teams over the last 2 years speak for themselves and the work that Sarah has done. The recent dissolution of the YWCA resulted in a new structure  and new personnel  so it is timely that this award be made now.

YCB Lifetime Achievement Memorial Award 2010

John Barrett  Pannal C C , Nidderdale JCL

John Barrett who sadly died after being nominated had been a member at Pannal C C for 63 years, joining as a junior finally retiring from playing 10 years ago. He has been 1st X1 captain, Secretary, Chairman and, for the last 20 years, groundsman. In the mid-seventies the club nearly folded due to a lack of players and it was only due to John’s unflagging efforts that it managed to survive. Now the Club are League Champions  boasting 4 Saturday teams, a midweek team , a ladies team and 150 junior members competing in all age groups. He has also been on the League Management Committee for many years, Evening League fixture secretary, past Secretary of the Nidderdale Junior  CL  and secretary of the league Joe Lumb and Lords Taverners sides.

His enthusiasm for the game was unlimited and his commitment to, cricket and Pannal in particular unsurpassed

Francesca Anobile Memorial Award For Young Leader of the Year Presented in 2010 in memory of France Anobile

It was season 2008 that YCB first started the visits of Young Leaders to Headingley which should create a Cricket Young Leaders Academy by the end of this summer of 20 young people. 

In 2008 there were some outstanding  Young Leaders from  Sheffield with one young lady being the pick of the bunch - indeed also tipped for Oxbridge with 15 Grade A GCSEs . She volunteered for a wide range of activities for both Westfield Sports College and Points School Sport Partnership and was part of a team of volunteers who assisted at the Aviva Indoor Athletics Championship and World trials held at the EIS Sheffield. She officiated at The Points Kwik Cricket festival at Eckington Cricket club and  at numerous schools athletics events including the Points SSP Sports hall Athletics Finals
 
Francesca was on of 30 students who formed the first cohort of the Sheffield Academy of Young leaders in Sport  and took part in the first "Headingley Experience" which has now expanded so much.

She volunteered to assisted at the Kwik cricket finals and dress up as one of the Mynah mascots producing the classic quote " it wasn’t that bad I was second to put the suit on so there was only one persons sweat on it"
 
Three words to decribe her : “Efficient, reliable and happy” She gave so much of her time as a volunteer  "time" more precious to her than we ever realized. Sadly she died after a sledging accident in February 2009 aged 16. The Board  wish to honour her name and memory by creating the Francesca Anobile Memorial Award for the Young Leader of the Year  which will be awarded annually to the years outstanding young leader

The first award goes to Francesca’s family.