The Dorset Cricket Board would like to thank all of the Natwest OSCAS 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.
Heartbeat of the Club - Tim Ives (Swanage CC)
Tim began developing our youth section in 2014, becoming our Youth Secretary in 2016. Despite our small catchment area his enthusiasm and dedication has masterminded a surge in our youth membership from 40 to 100 members to create 6 sides between U9 and U15’s, plus a new woman’s and girl’s cricket section. Tim’s passion has led to many more parents volunteering to run club events and has considerably expanded our family membership section.
Tim has raised around £12,000 in funding/sponsorship to develop youth cricket through training more coaches, hiring indoor nets and buying equipment. It has also enabled Tim to provide subsidised Swanage branded clothing to our youth sides which has proved invaluable in developing team identity and club loyalty.
Tim spends approximately 20 hours each week undertaking summer and winter coaching, visiting schools, fund raising, writing club policies and holding meetings. He liaises with organisations to encourage use of our facilities and organises our youth fun day, local 6-a-side competitions and club trips to Hampshire 20:20 matches.
Tim manages 4 of our youth sides and is Captain of our Saturday 2nd XI and TT25 sides. He also banks our matchday /membership fees. With his trademark smile Tim is everywhere!
Lifetime Achiever (Joint Winner) - Christine Ball (Shroton CC)
Christine’s involvement with the club has spanned some 33 years. In that time she has held many positions simultaneously, taking on roles when no one else is willing or forthcoming! Christine thrives on the life of a busy village cricket club yet without her willingness, versatile skill set and commitment; the club would not be where it is today. The reputation within the league of ‘the great Shroton tea’ would not exist without Christine’s time, care and effort. Indeed her knowledge of players’ food preferences is remarkable, with sandwiches almost made to order! It is the thought given and extra deeds done, that makes Christine special.
Christine is always evident at the ground, attending junior training and senior games, and is involved as much during the winter season as she is in the summer. Nothing is too much trouble, with thought given to the needs of players on and beyond the ground.
She helps forge links within the village and wider community, takes on ‘onerous’ paperwork required for banking, financial funding and maintaining the general running of the club.
Christine’s involvement and commitment is evident to all, and she is without question the heart of our family club and spent half her life affiliated to, and supporting the club.
Lifetime Achiever (Joint Winner) - Eric Ball (Shroton CC)
Eric has been involved with the club for 33 years. His dedication, commitment and contribution to the club is without question. He has ensured the development of the club, supporting the expansion of the junior section, helped to form links with local schools, facilitates fixtures for a range of teams (touring, county & other clubs in need), and keeps the club’s fixtures and fittings in good condition; generally enabling cricket to continually to be played at Shroton.
The grounds are prepared with total dedication, with personal pride taken in the ground in and out of season. His efforts have been rewarded with consistently good marks from umpires over the years.
Eric is a role model to the younger generations of cricketers coming through the club, ever present at senior and junior training and games. He has taken on managing the U9 team this season and umpires a variety of junior fixtures during the outdoor season. In the past he has umpired indoor leagues as well. He is an unassuming, quiet, gentle man, who encourages ‘true cricketing etiquette’ from the players, whatever their age.
Eric is always willing to help, support or guide around, on or beyond the cricket field. He is without question the heart of our family club and has dedicated much of his free time and life to the club.
Leagues - Stuart Platts (Dorset League and Wimborne Evening League
Stuart’s early cricketing days were spent with West Howe CC. His administrative skills were recognised by election to the Bournemouth & District Cricket Association Management Committee, in 1996. In 2003, he was the BDCA’s Fixture Secretary, and at the same time worked hard on the merger between the BDCA and the Dorset Cricket League.
On the demise of his club, Stuart moved to Hamworthy Recreation CC, whom he served in various roles, currently as Secretary. When the Dorset Cricket League was seeking ‘new blood’, with fresh ideas and enthusiasm, Stuart was approached to be part of a new committee, and he has proved an important voice in the effort to maintain participation levels in the County.
Stuart’s main achievement, in local cricket, has been as the leading administrator for the Wimborne Evening Cricket League. With clubs struggling to maintain players’ interest, his energy, and expertise with play-cricket, has allowed this competition to defy the national trend and maintain 3 Divisions of competing teams.
Officals: Umpires and Scorers - John Trotter (Dorset ACO)
My Father (John Trotter) took up umpiring when I was taking my first cricket coaching certificate some 30 years ago. He undertakes the role extremely seriously with an infectious humanity, a sense of fun which is never too far away, and an old-fashioned regard for integrity. However, beneath the large frame and pointed comments you will find a wise and shy man. No one would claim that he was the most agile sportsmen even if he once opened the blowing with his son David for Weymouth British Legion and Weymouth Cavaliers and particularly enjoyed having better bowling figures than his younger brother on these occasions!! David was not best pleased. Since the late 80s he has been a league umpire, calm in making the right call, wary of duplicitous tricks by batsmen who do not walk or bowlers who cynically appeal too often. He hates cheats and tends to remember such folk! He does not like confrontation and only steps in when and if required. He states that a good umpire is seen but not heard! He has the advantage of a good temperament, the eyes twinkling rather than blazing in a private exchange at the crease. The undeniable fact is that most top Dorset cricketers like him. As we know there are some local umpires come in many guises. They are often pedantic or punctilious. Some are inclined to be bumptious, more obsessed with their egos than the state of the game. The uncomplicated John (JT of big John), mostly untroubled by all the distracting nuances within the structure of big-time cricket, likes to smile. John. My father has an all-embracing affection for cricket, especially the county game. And it shows, whether he is walking a boundary or reminiscing as he sips from his pint. He has travelled to most games in Dorset in his beat up old banger (David affectionally calls Thunderbird Two), listened in horror to some decisions and antics. Maybe his naivety is part of his appeal and strength. He remains today as romantic about the game as he was when he undertook his exams and pestered David with questions around the ball landing in a pram and all that such an event revolves! Now an elder statesman he has been treated with some awe by the succeeding new influxes of cricketers. His decisions, quietly considered, never rushed, are still respected, by some! He has achieved a lot during his umpiring career, in fact it is his life, every year he sates no more, bloody marks and hassle. However, you will find prior to the start of every season his shirts and jacket washed and creased. New white shoes and all of his collection of facets to help during any situation that might arise during a game ready for the first cut of grass and the improved weather made for the sound of leather on English willow. He still umpires league and at schools, and more recently umpired Dorset over 50 against Southern Australia. He has Dorset cricket in his soul and blood. Mush respect.
Young Volunteer - Jack Gray (Bournemouth CC, East District and County u14s)
Jack has been involved as Coach support worker on all the East Dorset U12 winter training sessions and Dorset Under 14 training sessions giving up his time to Volunteer and help. He is also a very active umpire at the Dorset Indoor centre and with Bournemouth umpiring youth cricket.
He is involved every Tuesday and Friday with helping the coaching sessions at Bournemouth Sports Club giving up his time with great input to the Under 9 to Under 13 players. I am Head Coach of the Dorset County Cricket Under 14 side and Jack has taken on with great success looking after selecting, notifying, and helping run the East Dorset Under 12 team during the summer. He is having to fill teams when players drop out at the last moment showing excellent leadership. Only last week during a 20/20 competition he umpired for 95 overs on a very hot day. He is very mature for his age and Greg Parsons Head East Coach has been sent an email from another District Coach saying what a great job Jack does and how responsible and mature for his age he is. He will always give up his time to help others very dependable never lets you down and is active with the All Stars getting new recruits in to playing cricket. He has had a positive effect on all the cricket he is involved in and gets involved with training courses to improve his ability and cricket knowledge. I know he is looking forward to the Bryanston festival as he has been appointed to Umpire all 5 days.
