Every year, the Devon Cricket Board celebrate the exceptional contribution clubs and volunteers make across grassroots cricket throughout the county. The county winners are then put forward for the chance to have their contributions recognised nationally by the ECB.
This year’s Devon award winners are:
- Connecting Communities: Exmouth CC
- Cricket Innovators: James Woollam (Whimple CC)
- Game Changer: Gareth Penrice (Ipplepen CC)
- Growing the Game: Kirsty Hambley (Devon Women’s Cricket League)
- Inspired to Play: Anthony Cox (Sidmouth CC)
- Lifetime Achiever: Helen Smith (Plymouth Civil Services & Roborough CC)
- Rising Star: Emily Colton (Exmouth CC)
- Rising Star: Jasmyne Watson (Exmouth CC)
- Unsung Hero: Sue Tidball (Hatherleigh CC)
- Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year: Tony England (Lead Groundsman) – Grounds Team: Darren Harvey, Mark Lockett, John Whitlock, Nigel Mountford, Nigel Morgan, Pat Colling (Bovey Tracey CC)
All winners were rewarded with a choice of tickets to one of either Somerset vs Northamptonshire on 20th September or Exeter Chiefs vs London Irish on 23rd November.
Connecting Communities 2022 – Exmouth CC
Exmouth Cricket Club are deserving winners of this year’s Connecting Communities Award, having gone above and beyond the call of cricket to support their local community. This year they have run an Afghan Refugee engagement day which was supported by the club’s junior coaches, the club’s women’s section has grown to over 30 members and has an ever-growing girls’ section, which complements they already large junior section. The club have also taken up free after school club places from the DCB for children on free school meals.
Over the summer, the club also ran a Holiday, Activities and Food programme, funded by the government and Devon County Council, providing children who are on free school meals with activity camps and hot lunches. Simon Jupp MP, who joined in on the programme over the summer, said “it was a truly inspiring experience. The programme demonstrated the very best of our community.”
Runners up:
Exwick CC - Kate Le Maux and Simon Hukku – Establishing All Stars section and providing cricket activity for Ukrainian families.
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Cricket Innovator 2022 – James Woollam (Whimple CC)
The Cricket Innovator Award celebrates someone who has brought new ideas to a club, and the progress Whimple have made under Chairperson James make him a worthy winner. Under James’ stewardship the club have scheduled an exceptional 105 games over 2022, the club’s youth teams have come on strongly and they have set up their first all-girls U13s and U15s teams. In addition, James has given up his time to support the club by leading on all fundraising opportunities, from bonfire nights to music festivals; all of which took place outside of the regular cricket season.
Greig Benson, who nominated James for the award, said that “a lot of the work that James does for the club is behind the scenes and goes largely unnoticed. He deserves to be recognised for the hard work he puts in to making Whimple the welcoming club it is today.”
Runners up:
Sean Day (Exmouth CC) – Creating the club’s women’s team from scratch.
Lizz Wyle (Culmstock CC) – Promoting the women and girls’ sides, funding and safeguarding.
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Game Changer 2022 – Gareth Penrice (Ipplepen CC)
“Gareth has sparked off a love for cricket in so many young people and their parents – he is our Game Changer.”
Celebrating a young volunteer (aged 17-25) helping make a difference in cricket, this year’s Game Changer has thoroughly embraced his role as the All Stars Activator at Ipplepen CC. Gareth has a natural way of captivating and engaging the young players, who absolutely adore his training sessions.
The club have had fantastic feedback from parents on how much their children look forward to coming to the Friday night sessions, which the club firmly puts down to Gareth’s contribution.
Runners up:
Hester Presswell (Hatherleigh CC) – All Stars and Dynamos activator.
Jasper Presswell (Hatherleigh CC) – All Stars activator, coaching, scoring.
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Growing the Game 2022 – Kirsty Hambley (Devon Women’s Cricket League)
Kirsty Hambley is this year’s Growing the Game Award winner. Recognising a league volunteer going above and beyond to support clubs, the time and dedication Kirsty has brought to her role on the Devon Women’s Cricket League Executive Committee has not gone unnoticed.
Having been practically brought up at a Hatherleigh CC, Kirsty brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the DWCL and is an integral part of the provision of cricket across the county. Kirsty is passionate about the women’s league and is determined that women and girls who play in Devon have the opportunities and chances through a well-structured and inclusive playing league that she did not have growing up.
“My aim for women and girl’s cricket in Devon is to have a thriving grass roots set-up for all to enjoy, whilst providing a showcase platform for those wishing to go on to achieve accolades in the professional game.”
- Kirsty
Runner up:
Hannah Clark (Devon Women’s Cricket League) – Providing more cricket for more ability ranges and expanding the league.
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Inspired to Play 2022 – Anthony Cox (Sidmouth CC)
This year’s Inspired to Play Award winner, with an incredible nine nominations, is Sidmouth CC’s Anthony Cox for his work building up the girls’ cricket section at the club. The award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond to open the game of cricket up to new audiences.
Anthony has worked tirelessly to build the girls’ cricket section at Sidmouth from scratch, supporting the girls whatever the weather, and fostering a ‘can do’ attitude and a team spirit that has made the girls fall in love with the sport.
“The team spirit and camaraderie Anthony has inspired and fostered is evident for all to see. The love they have to play, despite many loses this season, has continued to grow. Anthony’s care and support of all the girls means that each girl has developed her skills and qualities as well as being able to believe in themselves and their future in cricket.”
Here are just a few of the many reasons why Anthony is this year’s Inspired to Play winner:
Photo credit: Chris Bass
“Without people like Anthony clubs like ours would never see a girls team form, develop or succeed as they have.”
“My daughter finds him an inspiration and he has brought the girls together with compassion, kindness and enthusiasm. He is a fantastic and inspiring coach!”
“He has inspired not only girls to play but other parents to get involved so that the opportunities for girls cricket can continue to grow.”
“My daughter loves all sport, but without doubt cricket is her absolute favourite and this is all down to Coxy.”
Runners up:
Darren Greep (Buckfastleigh Kings CC) – Supporting and inspiring people to return to cricket.
Jo Watson (Exmouth CC) – Growing participation in girls’ cricket.
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Lifetime Achiever 2022 – Helen Smith (Plymouth Civil Services & Roborough CC)
The Lifetime Achiever Award looks to celebrate an individual who has given many years of service to their club, someone their club could not do without, and there is not a more deserving winner this year than Helen.
Described as the “lifeline of the club in difficult times”, Helen has been involved in many areas of Plymouth Civil Services & Roborough CC over the past 47 years. She was highly influential in the club’s move to the new Manadon Sports Hub, was at the forefront of the club’s collaboration with Argyle Community Trust, the DCB and the ECB, and she ran All Stars for three years which led to the start of the club’s new junior section.
Despite recently stepping down as club secretary after a 20-year stint, she is still present to support the teams on Saturdays and Sundays, regardless of where they are playing, and her legacy can be felt all around the club. “The way she has devoted herself to the club is inspiring.”
Runners up:
Dave Manning (Tavistock CC) – Increasing numbers of young people and parents involved with the club.
Steve Mannell (Buckland Monachorum CC) – Retiring after 25 years at the club, holding almost all roles, coaching All Stars, running the bar, organising tours, umpiring, etc.
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Rising Stars 2022 – Emily Colton and Jasmyne Watson (Exmouth CC)
Photo credit: Matt Lockett
The Rising Star Award celebrates young volunteers (aged 11-16) who are making a difference to the game. This year, the award is shared by two young volunteers at Exmouth CC: Emily and Jasmyne.
Emily has helped engage and coach a number of younger girls at the club, helped run All Stars sessions over the course of the summer, and umpired and scored countless women and girls’ games over the year.
Jasmyne volunteers as an activator on the All Stars cricket courses and scores junior matches when she can. Described as a role model for all the young boys and girls at the club, she also plays hardball cricket for the mixed teams alongside playing women and girls’ softball cricket; showing the other girls at the club that it’s possible to do so. “She very much deserves recognition for the effort she has put in.”
Both Emily and Jasmyne took part in the Young Storm Champions Course which ran in May in conjunction with Western Storm.
Runners up:
Archie Hayter (Chelston and Kingskerswell CC) – Helping with catering on matchdays, socials and fundraising events. “Makes an excellent chilli.”
Freddie Harvey (Ipplepen CC) – Supporting coaching junior section of the club.
Imogen Daldorph (Thorverton CC) – Coaching junior sessions and changing attitudes towards women’s cricket.
Isaac May (Thorverton CC) – Helping junior coaching sessions and scoring 1st XI matches.
Olivia Woollam (Whimple CC) – Coaching All Star cricket, umpiring, scoring and role modelling for younger girls at the club.
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Unsung Hero – Sue Tidball (Hatherleigh CC)
This year’s Unsung Hero Award goes to Sue Tidball, who has proven to be an integral part of Hatherleigh CC for as long as anyone at the club can remember. Her second-to-none dedication to the club means that rarely will cricket or an event happen at Hatherleigh without Sue being there to support it with her husband Richard. She has also been a fantastic advocate for women’s cricket and an integral figure in the establishment of the women’s hardball team at the club.
Over the years Sue has opened up her home to overseas players and accommodated them free of charge, ensuring that they become an integral part of the family, which makes them stay in touch and often return to Hatherleigh. Sue has worked tirelessly to ensure that funding streams are in place at the club and was the driving force behind the building of the clubhouse at Holsworthy Road.
During the summer, Sue coordinates all the teas and spends her Saturdays scoring and cooking food for spectators and players. Over the winter, she organised Sunday lunches for the community with the help of her catering team.
“I truly do not think the club could run without Sue. If anything needs to be done, we ask if we need any help.”
Photo credit: Fiona Tyson
Runners up:
Alex and Ann-Marie Presswell (Hatherleigh CC) – Setting up All Stars, managing the youth setup, developing the girls’ hardball team and creating the girls’ softball team.
Bob Rice (Thorverton CC) – Scoring 1st XI fixtures for over a decade, learning online scoring, club treasurer and assisting with the club bar.
Dave Culshaw (Whimple CC) – Leading the club’s junior section, leading and recruiting new coaches, and supporting and mentoring young cricketers.
Katy Horler (Devon Cricket League / Yelverton Bohemians CC) – Contribution to girls’ hardball cricket team, support with fundraising and cleaning refurbished clubhouse.
Mark Lipton (Barton CC) – Various roles: umpiring, arranging fixtures, building sponsor boards, cutting the grass and ongoing maintenance.
Nikki Hayter (Chelston and Kingskerswell CC) – Running fundraising events for club and community and increasing club revenue through bar improvements.
Tina England (Bovey Tracey CC) – One of the main organisers of the Devon vs Somerset match hosted at the club. Various roles: vice chair, tea lady, cleaner, general management/trouble shooter.
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Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year 2022 – Bovey Tracey CC - Tony England (Lead Groundsman) and Grounds Team: Darren Harvey, Mark Lockett, John Whitlock, Nigel Mountford, Nigel Morgan, Pat Colling
New for 2022, the Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year Award aims to recognise those who are working hard to improve the places where the game is played and making a real difference at clubs.
The inaugural winners of the award are the fantastic grounds team at Bovey Tracey. Lead by Tony England, the team turn up almost every day of the week between March and September, every Wednesday throughout the winter to clean, refurbish and paint, as well as making constant improvements at the Recreation Ground.
Tony and the team go much further than this by also providing support to Stokeinteignhead and Buckfastleigh Cricket Clubs, giving advice and driving equipment to and from their grounds. Tony is also leading on the club’s project to create new and improved nets, and has recently supported the Town Council with replacing the fencing at the Recreation Ground.
Tony and the team have also improved the condition of the pitch over the last few years, with the ECB’s Pitch and Grounds Advisor from Lords commenting that Bovey Tracey “have the potential to produce good pitches and are managing the square well” adding that “the square was loved,” a sentiment echoed by the Somerset Groundsman ahead of the club’s visit.
“The whole team are magnificent and are brilliantly led by Tony. The whole club is hugely proud of their achievements.”
Photo credit: Matt Lockett
Runners up:
Thorverton CC Grounds Team – Paul Jordan, John Hill, Charlie Andrews and Keith Cudby – Raising the standard of the club’s pitches to top of the pitch marks and constantly improving facilities.
