Surrey Women all-rounder Alice Capsey has been named as the inaugural winner of the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year.
17-year-old has enjoyed an incredible summer, shining in The Hundred and Charlotte Edwards Cup triumphs for Oval Invincibles & South East Stars respectively, as well as winning the Members’ & Supporters’ Club Player of the Year gongs for her performances for Surrey Women.
An historic win for Capsey has seen her crowned the first ever cinch PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year, and she has won the award ahead of Southern Vipers’ Charlie Dean and England’s Sophia Dunkley.
Although not yet a full-time professional and therefore not a PCA member, the PCA Women’s Committee voted for non-members to be included in the cinch PCA Awards voting, therefore enabling Capsey’s win.
She took 10 wickets with an economy of 4.52 and hit 150 runs as her side were crowned champions in the inaugural edition of The Hundred.
The all-rounder also played a big part in the Stars success in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, scoring 203 runs and taking seven wickets to help her side to the trophy.
cinch PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year, Capsey, said: “It’s a massive honour and not something I really expected. When I got the phone call it hadn’t even been something that I’d processed in my mind. I can’t really put it into words. I’m not even a PCA member yet so to win the award is just incredible.
“It’s a huge honour and it will probably be the one of the best awards that I win in my career. To be the first person to have your name engraved on the trophy will be really special.
“Michael Atherton had an amazing career after winning the first cinch PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year. There are so many big names on the all of the trophies, hopefully I can live up to it and I’ll be happy if I can get close to some of them.
“This year has been the best summer I’ve had, and to experience that with my friends and teammates has been incredible – I’ll remember it for a very long time.”
This year’s main cinch PCA Award winners picked up brand-new trophies created exclusively for the PCA by the Association’s new partner Mappin & Webb. The existing Reg Hayter Cup (awarded to the cinch PCA Men’s Player of the Year), John Arlott Cup (cinch PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year) and the plate for the previous main women’s award are to be put on display at the PCA’s office at The Kia Oval.
PCA Chief Executive, Rob Lynch, said: “A huge congratulations must go to the four main award winners at this year’s cinch PCA Awards – all of you are thoroughly deserving recipients.
“I would also like to put in a word for the winners at the cinch PCA Awards who have been announced throughout the last few weeks. Your performances have been absolutely sensational during what has been a memorable season with the return of capacity crowds.
“Finally, thanks must also go to cinch for making the PCA Awards possible and for the company’s commitment to supporting the professional game across the board. It is valued by everyone within the game and long may our partnership continue.”
FULL AWARD WINNERS
Men’s Player of the Year: Joe Root
Women’s Player of the Year: Eve Jones
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Harry Brook
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Alice Capsey
