Pat Hall commended by ECB in Lifetime Achiever Category of the National Cricket Collective Awards

4th February 2026

Pat Hall commended by ECB in Lifetime Achiever Category of the National Cricket Collective Awards

Swardeston Cricket Club retiring groundsman Pat Hall has been recognised by ECB at the National Cricket Collective Awards Ceremony that took place on Wednesday 28th January 2026 at The National Space Museum, Leicester.

Pat has received the Highly Commended award in the prestigious Lifetime Achiever award which recognises a special person who has given years of service to their club or community.

Pat was one of three winners at the Norfolk Cricket Collective Volunteers Awards in the category of Lifetime Achiever category which took place on Friday 19th September 2025 at Wensum Valley Golf Club.

Mick Hornsby collected his award as the National winner but this does not detract from the highly deserved recognition that Pat has received for his 60+ years service at Swardeston Cricket Club.

  • Winner: Mick Hornsby (Yorkshire)
  • Highly Commended: Bharat Patel (Leicestershire & Rutland)
  • Highly Commended: Pat Hall (Norfolk)
  • Highly Commended: Edward Barker (Staffordshire)

More about Pat Hall

Approaching his 80th birthday Pat announced he would be stepping down his commitments as volunteer groundsman at Swardeston Common following the 2025 season.

Pat began tending the wicket in the early 1960s when Swardeston played at Keswick College. In 1964 the team moved to the newly created ground at Swardeston Common and Pat has overseen whole ground preparation ever since.

Club Chair, Stuart Bartram commented “It is difficult to put into words the contribution and impact Pat has made on Swardeston over those six decades.

For many years groundwork had to be fitted around his job and he could often be seen very early in the morning and late in the evening ensuring the wicket and ground was prepared for the weekend. In recent years his skills earned him a job as groundsman at Norwich CEYMS’ Hilltops sports ground but he was adamant he would continue his voluntary role at The Common.

Pat’s knowledge and skill is legendary in Norfolk but he has also shown the utmost care to all club players who have been fortunate to play at The Common. He cares deeply about the club and is always encouraging and ready to offer a kind ear to all regardless of club. A true club legend.”

NCF Development Director, Lewis Denmark has seen first hand the dedication Pat has given to recreational cricket in Norfolk “I have been fortunate enough to see the hard work that Pat has put in at Swardeston Cricket Club. Cricket clubs in Norfolk are indebted to volunteers and Pat truly embodies this with his dedication to supporting the club as much as he possibly could over the last 50 years. Whilst this award recognises Pat, there are 93 affiliated cricket clubs who have outstanding volunteers and the Norfolk Cricket Foundation are incredibly thankful to each and everyone of them who make recreational cricket possible in Norfolk every season.”

ENDS
31/01/2026