Huge Increase in NatWest OSCA nominations
Clubs across the County have responded superbly in recommending their key volunteers under The NatWest OSCA’s ( Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards ) scheme. The deadline passed on 30th June with 41 nominations received by David Bowker, Norfolk Cricket Board Secretary which is over double the number in 2009.
Kevin Denmark, Cricket Development Officer said ‘ The response this year has been truly magnificent with Clubs recognising the value of these awards to highlight the valuable work undertaken by volunteers within Club cricket in The County. We have received nominations in each of the seven categories including 18 ‘ Behind The Scenes ‘ for those invisible people whom Clubs could not do without, 7 have been nominated as ‘Lifetime achievers ‘ as people who have made an outstanding contribution over a number of years. The most encouraging figure however is the 6 nominations received for young volunteers within the 16 – 25 age bracket an area which is now receiving increased focus both locally and also nationally through the vCricket scheme.’
All nominees and their partners will receive an invitation to the County awards ceremony being held on Monday 9th August when the winners in each of the seven categories will be announced and in turn they will each be invited to attend the National Awards Ceremony being held on Monday 18th October at Lord’s.
The Norfolk Cricket Board now has the difficult task of deciding the winners in each category with some very strong nominations received.
The value of these awards was highlighted by Emma Hardy, Youth Co-ordinator at Swaffham Cricket Club who upon hearing of her nomination for an award commented ‘ I feel truly appreciated by my club simply by being nominated and look forward to the evening in August ‘.