Kent cricket volunteers Win NatWest Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards

The England and Wales Cricket Board hosted the National NatWest Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards (OSCAS) on Monday 22^nd October 2012 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Now in its 10^th year the OSCAs recognises and celebrates the achievements of those that volunteer in the recreational game.

Three of the 7 nominees from Kent were awarded a National OSCA award at the event. Paul Daniels (pictured) from Old Elthamians Cricket Club won the Building Partnerships award. Paul has ensured that disabled cricket is recognised not only within his club but also in the Bromley Borough. Paul founded the Young Leaders in Cricket programme which in 2012 developed 280 young leaders in South East London delivering 6,000 volunteering hours. Since the tragic loss of his son Benjamin (15), whilst training last year, Paul has been set up a £100,000 Memorial Fund to work in partnership with CRY to screen young people in Ben's cricketing community for their Cardiac Health. Paul has brought professional screening intoamateur cricket at no cost to the young person. 600 young fit people a year collapse and die from heart problems they did not know they had and Paul works tirelessly to ensure that what happened to his son does not happen to someone else. Over 300 young people were screened in 2012.

Lorraine Elgar from Swale Association of Cricket Officials won the Officiating Award. Lorraine has umpired at the highest level in the Women’s game and passes on her experience without hesitation. She gives back to the game at every opportunity, being heavily involved in disability and visually impaired cricket, successfully helping, advising and mentoring beyond the call of duty. She is the most successful female umpire in Kent and probably the country, but is first to offer help when a game needs officials, continuing to officiate at all levels of the game. Her continued integrity and enthusiasm helps her gain the respect of her colleagues.

Bromley Town Cricket Club won the NatWest CricketForce Award from ECB due to Amy Rowlinson’s amazing work to inspire the club and the community in to action. Having only joined the clubs committee as Social and Membership Secretary in 2011 Amy launched NatWest CricketForce at Bromley Town CC in November of that year. Amy managed the organisation of NatWest CricketForce for her club, securing charity fundraising and sponsorship from local businesses. Amy co-ordinated a new bar to be designed and installed with a total saving of £36,000 to Bromley Town CC. Amy’s drive and management in utilising the NatWest CricketForce tools helped the club to engage the Community and achieve their vision; What a difference NatWest CricketForce can make to Clubs.

Former England Captain and ECB’s Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships Mike Gatting presented the awards at the event. In his tribute to the winners he said "Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring that our grass-roots game can continue to flourish and these awards are a fantastic way of recognising their contribution. I would like to thank each and every volunteer, young and old across the country, who has given up time over the last 12 months to help their local cricket club. It's thanks to the tireless work and self-sacrifice of volunteers that pitches get prepared, pavilions maintained and our games are scored and umpired. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners – you are the unsung heroes of our game and your awards are richly deserved."

The Kent Cricket Board congratulates Paul, Lorraine and Amy for their thoroughly deserved National NatWest OSCA awards and extends thanks to all the many volunteers up and down the County who support cricket in Kent tirelessly.