Chelston & Kingskerswell cricketer Matt Rossin, with son Seb and daughter Sophia, modelling one of the shirts sold by the club to raise money for NHS charities

 By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

CHELSTON & Kingskerswell CC, long-serving youth cricket administrator Andy Alford and Torquay CC scorer Nick Evanson are the three Devon winners in this year’s NatWest cricket OSCAs.

Ted Ashman – an OSCA winner in 2003NatWest and the ECB have been handing out OSCAs locally and nationally for nearly 20 years to the unsung heroes and heroines of cricket, without whom the sport would not be the same.

The late Ted Ashman was Devon’s first winner of a national OSCA – it stands for Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards – way back in 2003.

Although none of Devon’s nominees made it on to the national shortlist this year, OSCAs administrator Alex Jopling said it was important to recognise the hard work done to keep clubs alive during the viscissitudes of the Corona Virus pandemic.

“It was fantastic to see the response from clubs and individuals in light of the pandemic with a number going the extra mile to support and engage their club and wider community,” said Jopling, the clubs and programmes manager for the Devon Cricket Board.

“As well as recognising these people through the OSCAs it is important to highlight the effort from all the volunteers at clubs this year who helped ensure the successful and safe return of cricket. 

“Let’s hope the 2021 season is more of a ‘normal’ one!”

The three categories contested this year were:

Connecting communities:

This award is designed to highlight a club, league or community organisation that has supported members of their community through inspirational methods. Through a diverse range of measures throughout COVID-19 to ensure cricket has played its part in looking after the local community. Innovation and pushing the boundaries are rewarded here alongside the important role played by club, group of people or organisation. Winner: Chelston & Kingskerswell CC. Click here to read what they did.

Pro-Active Leadership within the Cricket Community

This award is designed to highlight and show the essential contribution that proactive leadership can make within the club, leagues, officiating, community or county organisations.  It recognises those individuals who are providing vision and direction in supporting their local community and highlighting the role cricket plays within that community. Winner: Andy Alford. Click here to read his citation.

The #raisethebat Award 

The #raisethebat award is for an outstanding individual, be they a key worker or someone who has gone over and above during this period of COVID-19. Individuals were able to nominate themselves. Winner: Nick Evanson: Click here to read his story.

The OSCAs are not the only pat on the back handed out to club volunteers in 2020. Earlier this year the Devon Cricket Board ran a Volunteer Recognition initiative. Click this link to see who was nominated.