The Dorset Cricket Board would like to thank all of the ECB Grassroots Cricket Award winners below as well as everyone that was nominated for an award for the time and effort that they put into cricket. Without volunteers the game of cricket would not be in as strong of a position as it is.
Connecting Communities - Broadstone Cricket Club
Broadstone run cricket across all environments including all stars, dynamos, juniors, adults, W&Gs softball and hardball, and disability cricket. Links to the local community has provided opportunities to play at the club across all environments available.
The club have run weekly sessions for all groups throughout the summer months. They also provided their venue for the Dorset Disabled Team to train during lockdown.
They have a number of dedicated coaches who promote both W&Gs and disability cricket at the club to the community. There is also a large volunteer workforce that supports the number of different enviroenments and opportunities at the club.
Cricket Innvoator - David Trotter (Martinstown CC)
David joined our club in 2020 and became our adult coach in 2021. During that time he has implemented a detailed and fun training programme for our adults, and also our under 15s.
Our under 15s were struggling for numbers at the start of the season. Through his methods (including some fantastically fun drills), the under 15s enjoyed an undefeated season with plenty of smiles).
Our adults team, predominantly young men under 21, have benefit from his experience and novel ways of coaching, for example the introduction of new coaching aids and amazing ways to use a bowling machine! This focus has enabled the side, often league strugglers, to challenge for a top three place – maybe more in the future.
David tries to understand the individual, he has been working closely with the bowlers, for example, to get them to think about plans and what they are trying to achieve. One parent told me that his son is now bowling quicker and more accurately through the work of David – he has become a thinking cricketer.
David has introduced an end of seasons awards for the under 15s, including the purchase of cricket books to further empower the children and the are a lovely team who always play with a smile.
David has worked closely with junior coaches to develop their skills. He is mentoring coaches and encouraging them to undertake Level 2 qualifications – this always, IMO, improves the experience for our players.
Game Changer - Lily Wood (Swanage CC)
I first met Lily as an U11 and it was immediately clear that both as a person and a cricketer she was a huge asset to the club. As a player was always willing to help others improve, using her experience of playing both for Swanage and Dorset.
Having attended a cricket activators course, she started coaching on a more formal basis at winter training. Keen to be involved as much as possible, she ran the warm up straight away. Players responded to her relaxed, fun style but clearly respected her as both a player and coach. We now have numerous juniors helping with the younger players having followed in Lily’s footsteps.
She passed her Level 1 coaching course and were it not for the Covid Pandemic would now have done her Level 2 course. Always keen to be part of any new group, she has been a central part of our U7s group and our growing girls’ section, as they take their first steps in cricket. This year she has been running the WAGs training sessions and sits on the adult selection committee.
Lily is a great role model and a true inspiration for the whole club.
Growing the Game - Alan Graham (Dorset League)
The League has had ambitions to apply for ECB Premier league accreditation and Alan has signed up to the project by leading a survey of clubs requirements and carrying out a SWOT analysis with clubs helped by committee members. He has compiled reports and worked with Cricket Dorset, ECB and league clubs.
An effort that was needed for some time but Alan grasped the baton and ran with it. The understanding of the needs of clubs in Dorset is at an all-time high and this is the start of the journey not the end.
A magnificent effort.
Inspired to Play - Nick Roe (Dorchester CC)
Nick Roe has led an initiative under the Marcus Rashford Free School Meals scheme to deliver cricket and other sports to 25 children each day who are entitled to a free school meal. Nick has connected vulnerable children and raised their self-esteem, physical health and provided a fun experience for all. The cricket club supplied all the coaches and the venue for this. The scheme has been the perfect vehicle to connect a disadvantaged group with Dorchester Cricket Club.
Lifetime Achiever - Colin Moore (Stalbridge CC)
Colin has been Chairman of Stalbridge Cricket Club for 20+ years and as player since junior age groups. Colin is also Junior Co-ordinator, Child Safeguarding Officer, TT25 Captain & coach for the under 15s. Colin’s commitment to Stalbridge Cricket Club is unwavering.
Colin strives for the best outcomes for all club members. Colin continues to develop player’s skills and interest in the game with enjoyment and energy. Colin demonstrates this by leading all- stars sessions, coaching the under 15s team & organising and captaining the TT25 team. Colin proposed to the committee in 2020 to introduce a second TT25 team to allow more people to play, this was agreed and having a second TT25 team has proved successful. Colin also plays Saturdays and his enthusiasm, humour & cricket knowledge brings great value to the teams.
Off the field simply the club would not survive if Colin wasn’t our Chairman. He keeps senior members of the club motivated that allows members to play and the club field a number of teams.
Colin also demonstrates his commitment and support for the club off the field by running our lottery bonus ball fundraiser. This raises in excess of £1000 each year.
Rising Star - Dan Hill (Dorchester CC)
Dan Hill has given up a huge amount of time coaching others this season. This includes;
Coaching AllStars
Coaching Dynamo’s
Supporting the day camp by giving up 20 x 4hrs to help enable disadvantage children to play cricket.
Umpired / facilitated play for the u9’s.
More that this Dan is always at the club, playing with peers, adult cricket and helping out with little jobs at te ground. He pushed the sightscreens and covers all day at the recent NCCA Dorset match. A lovely boy.
Unsung Hero - Mark Cuff (Chalke Valley CC)
Mark has been a part of the club for 33 years. As a player, he took on the role of captain in the early 2000s when the club was struggling and valiantly kept it going, effectively secretary as well as skipper. When the club moved to a new, purpose built ground in 2010, he played a huge part in what was a massive undertaking. Since retiring as a player six years ago, he stepped into the role of groundsman, learning the necessary skills and dedicating himself to producing outstanding wickets and keeping the ground immaculate. He never complains and is utterly dependable. His selfless dedication and thousands and thousands of unpaid hours spent on the ground has helped ensure a thriving junior section and helped breed success for the senior teams: the ground is so good, people really want to play there, and one of the reasons we have so many players on our books now. He also prepares pitches when we hire out the ground, which brings in much needed funds. Wider recognition would be wonderful and a recognition of just what a huge difference stalwarts like him can do to the fortunes of an amateur cricket club.
