Devon Cricket Board - Lord's Awaits for Devon OSCA Winners

Another year goes by with the cricket season now all but done and dusted; those on the field have lifted their silverware. Its time to celebrate the contribution of people off the field, which make cricket run within Devon. This year the cricket office email tray and letter box wasn’t as full as previous, not to say that those nominated were any less deserving as those who had gone before them. But that the numbers for our development team to sift through weren’t at its previous highs.

The ECB Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards have seven different categories, which nominations are collated for. Unfortunately this year we have only managed to fill 6 of the 7 categories’ with no nominations coming through for the Natwest Cricketforce Award which last year was won by John Smith at Heathcoat CC (pictured right), whoever was to follow him for this award would have had a tough act to follow there anyway. Nevertheless it was disappointing that no nominations were brought forwards for this award. The OSCA’s in Devon are run by sifting and sorting all nominations received in each category then, the winners of the Devon categories are put forwards to represent the county at the National awards at Lords.

Building Partnerships OSCA Winner 2014

For this award we were in a unique position of receiving a joint nomination for Julie Ingham-Hill and Becky Mason (pictured left at Lords with the South Dartmoor Girls) of South Dartmoor Community College and Bovey Tracey Cricket Club. Their nominator said about the pair ‘Julie and Becky work incredibly hard to promote girls cricket through linking their school with Bovey Tracey CC, their drive to provide lunchtime clubs and afterschool opportunities has led to the school being successful in the Lady Taverners competition but also allowing the girls to progress to district and county level.’ It was clear to us that the joint contribution these two ladies had made to drive forward girls cricket at the school and also at the club has been phenomenal!

Leagues & Boards OSCA Winner 2014

It was quite an easy one to make this person our county winner. His contribution to recreational cricket whether it be as a Devon League Chairman, a Trustee on the David Shepherd Cricket Trust, a captain of Devon Over60’s, a president of Tavistock CC and a representative for Devon and Cornwall on the Lords Taverners committee is undisputable as big as anyone in the country. Stuart Munday (pictured below) is a very worthy winner for the unbelievable amount of time he puts into making cricket run smoothly and successfully in the county. His nominator summed Stuart up brilliantly by saying ‘ I can actually say I’ve never met anyone who puts in so much effort as a volunteer to so many aspects of the cricket world in Devon’.

Lifetime Achiever OSCA Winner 2014

At the age of 72 Bev Walter has been involved in cricket in Plymouth for over 40 years. Bev was instrumental in setting up Plympton’s colt’s section in 1988 and the rise of the club and this section especially over the past 26 years has been for all to see. Bev was one of the first shining lights behind girls cricket at Plympton before they became the super power in women’s club cricket they are today. Getting the initial wheels turning and encouraging girls to come down to the club and play. Bev is still involved with junior cricket to this day at Plympton CC doing some administration on colts night but also organizing / coordinating fixtures. Bev could be described as Mr Plympton Cricket always there for 1^st team games but also on Sundays supporting teams who are playing. Bev’s nominator said ‘Bev’s colts section at Plympton colts became the template for others in the Plymouth area, and saw the Palladium League grow.’ Bev certainly is a very worthy winner of this lifetime award, as he has for all to see a lifetime of successes in cricket within the Plymouth area.

Officiating – Umpires & Scorers OSCA Winner 2014

Scoring can be the task that no one wants to do, apart from Jackie! Jackie Lancaster is always willing to volunteer and do the vital role of a scorer. She started when her eldest of four children started playing at Ivybridge CC, she has since scored for every side in the club from the U11s through to the first team. Jackie hasn’t just performed this role at club level but also at county level too; when her daughter has been playing Jackie has taken up the mantle of scorer when needed. Jackie is one of cricket's helpers which the game cannot do without, she even managed U13s sides when others couldn’t plus helped the West Devon Youth League as a result coordinator. Her nominator said ‘Her scorebooks are always immaculate, and she is willing to help who she can.’

Young Volunteer OSCA Winner 2014

Alex Carr is undoubtedly an unsung hero of Devon Cricket with the number of different volunteer roles he takes on. Alex at the meagre age of 23 holds the following roles; Plympton CC junior coordinator, West Devon District Coaches Association coordinator, U15s Girls County Age group coach, England U15s Girls Assistant coach, and lastly secretary of the Devon Youth Cricket Association. All of the above are vital roles, and ones which Alex performs with great diligence and to the best of his ability. Alex puts in hours of time to help make whatever area of cricket better. Best summed up by his nominator by saying ‘Alex is never one to shy away from putting his hand forwards to assist in any way he can.’

Behind the Scenes OSCA Winner 2014

Keith Cudby’s nominator said - ‘He regularly takes the bins out, organizes committee meetings, is the first person in the club and the last to leave. He organizes the club's Pub League, he also arranges other fundraising events like car boot etc: which helps the club to stay afloat.’ A great summary of why Keith Cudby is a worthy Behind the Scenes winner. Undoubtedly every club has someone who does all the tasks no one else wants to but never gets the recognition. Here’s Keith’s chance to have a public thank you for all his work at the club over the years. Described as ‘Thorverton CC’s most underrated hero at the club, without whom the club would not operate as well as it does’