The Surrey Cricket Foundation’s Cricket Collective Awards returned to The Kia Oval on Sunday 21st September, honouring the dedicated individuals and clubs whose tireless efforts are the very foundation of grassroots cricket across the county.
The prestigious event brought together nominees and their guests, who were treated to a two-course lunch with wine in the historic surroundings of The Kia Oval. The day was made even more special with competitive action taking place right outside, as the venue hosted the finals of the Surrey Junior Cricket Championship (SJCC). Spectators enjoyed the Girls U18 Hundred Cup Final between Reigate Priory CC and East Molesey CC, followed by the Boys U19 Tier 1 Final featuring Esher CC and Chobham CC.
Surrey County Cricket Club’s own Seb Stuart Reckling was on hand to present the awards to the deserving winners, before taking time to engage in a popular Q&A session with the attendees, sharing insights into life as a professional cricketer.
The awards recognise volunteers, coaches, and innovators from all corners of Surrey, who have gone above and beyond to grow, sustain, and improve the game for all ages and abilities.
Chris Coleman, Director of Cricket Participation for the Surrey Cricket Foundation, praised the winners for their commitment:
“The Cricket Collective Awards are an important day in our calendar, as they allow us to celebrate the incredible, tireless work that underpins our game in Surrey. All of our nominees and winners are the bedrock of club cricket, and it was a privilege to host them at The Kia Oval for such a fantastic day of celebration and competitive junior finals.”
Paul Reuby, Club Support Officer, also spoke to the dedication of the volunteers:
“Being a Club Volunteer myself for around 30 years I know only too well the demands on everyone who gives up their time to ensure cricket can be played. The balancing act between Cricket Club, work life, families and life in general can be really hard to juggle. So, a big thank you to everyone who does this; the Cricket Collective Awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge everyone who works so hard within their Club environment.”
The Surrey Cricket Foundation extends its congratulations to all of the winners and nominees, who exemplify the spirit of community cricket:
| Award Category | Winner | Club / Organisation |
| Lifetime Achievement | Geoff Bond | Ham and Petersham Cricket Club |
| Outstanding Contribution, Services to Coaching | Mike White | Bagshot Cricket Club |
| Coach of the Year | James Watson | Hampton Wick Royal / Heathfield Junior School |
| The Metro Bank Champion of Girls Cricket | Caroline Shaw Hales | Valley End Cricket Club |
| Growing the Game | Grishma Santosh | Overton Park Cricket Club |
| Connecting Communities | Jamie Greig | Spencer One / Spencer Cricket Club |
| Cricket Innovator | Ashley Middleton | Outwood Cricket Club |
| Game Changer | Tom Clover | Ripley Cricket Club |
| Inspired to Play | Sean Ryan | Streatham and Marlborough Cricket Club |
| Rising Star | Roxy Burrows | Spencer Cricket Club |
| Safe Hands Award | Lyle Kercher | Outwood Cricket Club |
| Unsung Hero | Jim Wakefield | Ewhurst Cricket Club |
| Volunteer Grounds Management Team | Neil Burchett & Alan Jenkins | Blindley Heath Cricket Club |
A big thank you to the event’s sponsors: Powerplay Cricket for sponsoring the Coach of the Year Award and AJ Sports who sponsored the Connecting Communities Award. A further thank you goes to Andrew Monk from Valley End Cricket Club for expertly serving as the day’s compere.
The Foundation looks forward to another successful year of grassroots cricket, driven by the dedication and passion of its incredible volunteers.
