In keeping with recent efforts by Cricket Scotland to refresh their approach to club development, the Award categories seek to recognise clubs taking a dynamic approach to retaining relevance in their community and attracting new members.
The 2018 Award winners are:
Biggest Change-maker at a Scottish Cricket Club – Niall Burns, Peebles Cricket Club
Scotland’s Most Welcoming Cricket Club – Nairn Cricket Club
Best Use of “Bite-sized” Volunteers – Jim Wilson, Jenny Anderson, Hannah Short, Mark Gray, Livingston Cricket Club
Best Use of Social Media – Breadalbane Cricket Club
Strongest Community Engagement – Strathmore Cricket Club
Cricket Scotland’s Head of Participation, Rob Wakelin, was delighted with the quality of nominations.
“Nominations came from clubs all over Scotland, and as we see with our winners there are very good things happening in a number of different cricket communities.”
“In a challenging external climate, we continue to see our cricket clubs excelling, not least due to the quality of volunteers in our game and continual innovation and evolution in the way they approach the management of their clubs”.
“Cricket continues to have a positive future in Scotland for as long as we see talented and committed people looking after the game at community level”.
The Awards were due to be presented at the final of the 2018 Scottish Cup however with the match being postponed on successive weekends, Awards will be presented to winners in local settings, allowing club communities to share in the achievements.
Award Summaries
Biggest Change-maker at a Scottish Cricket Club – Niall Burns, Peebles Cricket Club
Niall not only plays for the first team but has in recent years spearheaded efforts to bring Peebles back as a cricketing force. An innovative approach – focusing on junior cricket and forging a working relationship with Carlton Cricket Club – has seen Peebles recover and excel.
As well as stimulating club development, Niall has also invested time in development and maintenance of club facilities, and establishing a popular 20/20 tournament.
Scotland’s Most Welcoming Cricket Club – Nairn Cricket Club
Nairn’s stunning seaside location assists in attracting visitors, both for cricket purposes and people from all over the world. The club has cricket information available and displays in the clubhouse illustrate the club history. Sharing club responsibilities across a group of people ensures a warm reception for new club members.
Best Use of “Bite-sized” Volunteers – Jim Wilson, Jenny Anderson, Hannah Short, Mark Gray, Livingston Cricket Club
Thanks to those named in the Award nomination, Livingston is able to manage the broad demands of the club efficiently and effectively – grounds and facilities, community and social, governance and coaching. Thanks to this approach the club is growing its reputation within cricket circles and becoming more prominent hosting representative fixtures and community occasions.
Best Use of Social Media – Breadalbane Cricket Club
The award nomination states Breadalbane’s Facebook page is probably the most interesting, entertaining and engaged Facebook page in Scottish cricket. The club’s April Fools Facebook post “went viral” and attracted over 49,000 views worldwide.
Strongest Community Engagement – Strathmore Cricket Club
Strathmore CC is gaining a strong presence in the Forfar community. As a leading member of the Forfar Sports Hub, Strathmore is helping the growth of sporting activity in the Lochside location. Due to this the perception of the club in the town is already changing – it is now seen as a club that is engaged, involved and contributing.