Unsung heroes receive OSCAs recognition

Eight unsung heroes have been recognised for their contributions to cricket in Gloucestershire by being awarded a Natwest OSCA (Outstanding Services to Cricket Award).

The volunteers – who range in age from 17 to 73 – have been invited to Lords to celebrate their achievement at a star-studded ceremony in October.

The eight winners include five from Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

They were chosen from a record number of nominations from clubs, leagues and associations across the county.

Gloucestershire cricket development manager Steve Silk said: "These awards celebrate the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the success and survival of the grass roots game.

"Without these people it is fair to say that cricket and cricket clubs simply would not survive.

"Reading the nominations it is inspiring to hear about the selflessness and dedication of these individuals who give up huge amounts of their time for the good of others.

"The Natwest OSCAs are really powerful way to thank them for this hard work and every one of the eight winners thoroughly deserves to receive this recognition for their efforts."

The winners from Bristol and South Gloucestershire include Alan Luton and Mike Anstey from Winterbourne CC, Andy King and Jack Digby from Carsons and Mangotsfield CC and Pete Rogers from Westbury-On-Trym.

For more information on their achievements see below.

Alan Luton and Mike Anstey, (Winterbourne CC), Natwest Cricket Force Award

Alan and Mike have made Winterbourne's dream to build a new pavilion a reality.

At the start of the project the club could not afford to employ a contractor but the club stalwarts offered up their time and skills for free.

Working with local businesses which provided building materials at a reduced cost, they supervised local construction students from Filton College to support the build.

Over the last nine months the pair – who both live in Winterbourne - have completed the block work for the pavilion, readying it for the next stage of development which includes the roof, doors, windows and interior.

Nominator Liz Bracey said: "There has of course been a 'community team' involved in the project but it is  the daily practical hard work and skill of Alan and Mike, which has enabled the building to take place during the wet, cold winter and spring months - Alan as the bricklayer and Mike as his apprentice."

Pete Rogers, (Westbury-On-Trym), Officials Award

Before retiring last year Pete stood in more than 200 competitive matches.

But his work off the pitch has proved just as influential, training a new wave of officials and playing an instrumental role in the formation of the Gloucestershire Association of Cricket Officials.

The organisation's chairman Martin Brown said: "Pete's organising and communication skills were always highly professional and conscientiously conducted.

"Through his combined training responsibilities, both locally and regionally, Pete can be credited for the recruitment of a considerable number of umpires and scorers inside and outside of Gloucestershire."

During his career Pete was a key member of the Bristol & Western Counties Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers executive committee, assuming various roles including editing The Appeal newsletter, sitting on the grading sub-committee and serving as vice-chairman.

He has trained numerous officials over the years and was GACO's first ever education officer.

Andy King, (Carsons & Mangotsfield CC), Building Partnerships Award

Without Andy King, Carsons and Mangotsfield CC simply wouldn't exist.

That's the view of Jack Beese who nominated him for the Building Partnerships award.

Over the last decade he has almost singlehandedly set-up a youth section, re-established the club's third team and helped oversee its move to a new ground.

Jack said: "Andy is as important and integral to our club as it is possible to be. Without him, there is every chance our club would no longer be around.He is the heartbeat of our club and the youth section in particular.

"Ten-years-ago, the club had no youth section, was playing at a tired and un-inviting ground and were haemorrhaging players at an alarming rate. Without serious re-direction and effort, the club would have folded. Andy was the man who gave us, and continues to give us, that direction and effort."

Andy is currently youth chairman and coach, looking after a junior section made up of seven teams. He is also third team captain, helping players make the transition from youth to senior cricket.

One of Andy's main achievements at Carsons & Mangotsfield was overseeing their move to Pomphrey Hill. This work included establishing strong links with the local council and National Funding Bodies to produce wonderful modern facilities, including a boxing club for the local community.

Jack Digby, (Carsons & Mangotsfield CC), Young Volunteer Award

At just 17 Jack Digby has already become a vital member of Carsons & Mangotsfield CC.

A UKCC1 coach, he assists with the under 7s, plays in the first team and is willing to do just about any job around the club.

Youth chairman Andy King said: "In weeks when I have been unable to attend, Jack runs the session and makes sure that the player registration and health assessment has been carried out, which shows maturity and responsibility.  Most weeks the kids want to be in Jack's group rather than mine which shows the fun he has brought to the session and how he is liked by the group.

"Whenever I have asked to do anything around the club, he is always a willing volunteer."