Derbyshire volunteer Phil Lucas was among the winners at the annual NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards.
The OSCAs were staged at Lord’s on Monday to highlight the significant contribution volunteers have made to cricket across England and Wales over the past year.
Following a memorable summer highlighted by the ICC men’s World Cup victory, the enormous value and contribution of volunteers has a sharpened focus as cricket aims to capitalise on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game at all levels.
Lucas won the Outstanding Contribution to Disability Cricket honour for his service to Derbyshire Disabled Cricket.
Lucas’ enthusiasm for his role resonated with all in attendance as he spoke passionately about his journey after he was a founding member of Derbyshire Disabled Cricket some 14 years ago.
“This award isn’t about me, it is about the club,” he said.
“There’s so much that goes into our club – there’s probably 20-30 people who deserve to be up here but it is my name that is on the award and I’m so proud of what our club has done.
“When I started there were just seven players and now I can’t get into the Second XI.
“But I am so proud of what the club has done and to be with the people who help out and play is a privilege.”
To find out more about NatWest’s involvement in cricket at all levels of the game, head to: natwest.com/cricket
World Cup winner Chris Woakes revealed his gratitude for the role volunteers have had on his own career after he presented the NatWest Lifetime Achiever OSCA to Ernie Brabbins, who has dedicated almost 60 years to various volunteering roles in Cumbria.
Woakes said: “Every one of our World Cup squad has benefited from passionate people and coaches that have put in so many hours to make us better cricketers and better people.
“My only dream when I was a kid was to play cricket with my friends and for it to lead to what it has done makes me feel very privileged. It is because of volunteers at clubs who put in the true graft, for the love of the game, that give kids like me the chance to begin that journey.
“I can only thank them for what they do.”
NatWest OSCAs 2019 winners:
Lifetime Achiever: Ernie Brabbins – Appleby Eden CC, Cumbria
Outstanding Contribution to Disability Cricket – Phil Lucas, Derbyshire Disabled Cricket
Heartbeat of the Club: Ian Guppy – Aldwick CC, Sussex
Most Inspiring and Diverse Cricket Offer: Richard Langdon, Falkland CC, Berkshire
Pro-active Leadership in Cricket: Martin Croucher – St Ives Town & Warboys CC, Cricket East (Huntingdonshire).
Young volunteer 14-18: Alicia Smith – Illingworth St Mary`s CC, Yorkshire
Young volunteer 19-25: James Thompson – Berwick CC, Northumberland
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