Sunday 24 August saw the Surrey Cricket Collective Awards held at the Kia Oval, marking a celebration of all the off-field, behind the scenes work which goes into every successful, volunteer run cricket club in Surrey. The Wick are delighted to have several nominations across several categories. Dom Spray and Callum Donnelly were nominate for the Unsung Hero award, whilst the following were shortlisted for their fantastic work and contributions to the Wick:
- Unsung Hero – Ben Houghton
- Growing the Game – Nick Dunmore
- Inspired to play – Surbhi Agrawal
- Metro Bank Champion of Girls Cricket – James Watson.
We are delighted that James Watson was the winner of the Inspired to Play Award. A huge congratulations to James, as well as all those shortlisted and nominated. It is a huge honour for the Wick to win an award for the second consecutive year, and will only spur the club on to continue our efforts to grow the game.
Below is the extract from James’s nomination for the Award. Richly deserved.
“Richard Thompson visited Heathfield Junior School and was impressed with the cricket provision they are providing for children from disadvantaged background. James has acquired funding from OSF to deliver a number of cricketing projects which include girls’ hardball; girls’ softball as well as clubs and camps for those on free school meals. Heathfield Junior School is one of only two state primary schools included in Cricketers Top Schools Guide 2024 and was also included in 2023 and 2022. As well as being nationally recognised for HAF (Holiday and Food) cricket camp for free school meals children. Providing a free hot meal, cricket coaching, nutritional advice, sports psychology advice and a trip to the Oval to watch a game during the summer camp. Coaching sessions were also arranged with Emma Jones, Ariana Dowse, Ivreen Dhaliwal, Angus Fraser, Monte Lynch, Arun Harinath, Blake Cullen and Amelie Munday.
The Girls’ hardball team won the Surrey u11 tier 2 league after only playing hardball for 2 months. HWRCC girls u9s, all Heathfield girls and all free school meals children have won all their games this season.
Their boys, who are all free school meals children were Chance to Shine Regional Street Cricket Champions U13 (playing two years up) and came 3rd in the Chance to Shine National Street U13s Finals.
James Watson is truly breaking down barriers and making the game more inclusive”.
Club Chairman Sam Kemp commented “I am so proud and grateful for the work all those nominated do for our club and for playing a significant part in making the Wick the great club that it is. Every club member owes them an enormous thank you!”