Surrey Cricket Foundation welcomed incredible volunteers from around the county to the Kia Oval for our annual awards and recognition ceremony on Sunday 12th September.
Our guests were treated to a batting masterclass from Sir Alastair Cook in the Surrey v Essex County Championship fixture as they arrived in the Duchy Suite in the all new One Oval Square development.
Lunch followed with a Q&A between courses, with Surrey’s Jamie Overton, Nick Kimber and our esteemed host Stephen Chenery, from Steam Wine Bar. The players gave their thoughts on a number of issues and topics in the game currently
The awards ceremony then kicked off with each winner being welcomed to the stage to receive their certificate and a Surrey Cricket Club Shop voucher, and a mandatory cheesy photo!
A full list of winners can be found below:
- Rising Star Award (11-16yrs): Connie Stevenson (Hampton Hill CC)
- Game Changer (17-25yrs): Frazer Fowler (Valley End CC)
- Growing the Game: David & Lucy Lyle (Malden Wanderers CC)
- Young Coach of the Year: Joe Lavender (Malden Wanderers CC)
- Coach of the Year: Caroline Robinson (Old Rutlishians CC)
- Connecting Communities: Asad Butt (Thornton Heath CC)
- Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching: Paul Bower (Staines & Laleham CC)
- Cricket Innovators: Dan Allen (Sanderstead CC)
- Unsung Hero: Bob Ford (Old Rutlishians CC)
- Lifetime Achievement: Andy Sugarman (Purley CC)
- Inspired to Play: Derek Bytheway (Pirbright CC)
It was with great sadness we received the news that the winner of our final award, Derek Bytheway, passed away in late August. A tribute from a fellow club member can be found below.
Derek, who was President at Pirbright CC, made an immediate impact at the club when he arrived in the village over 30 years ago. He contributed as a gifted player, shrewd captain, consistent and fair umpire, obsessed spectator, tactical advisor, and always an endorser of good, honest cricket from whoever performed, home team or visitors.
His onfield contributions in his latter days may have been restricted, but he remained deeply interested in every match, result, fixture and twist and turn, especially in his role as PCC President. A chance conversation on a Monday evening this year, about walking cricket, led to him forming a team within 36 hours and enabled Derek to play cricket again, even with a bat acting as his sticks and him managing numerous physical restrictions.
Derek loved people, and people loved Derek, and through cricket he found the perfect medium to create energy, passion, fun, challenge, and togetherness.
Congratulations to all our nominees and winners, cricket in Surrey simply wouldn’t be the same without you! A full list of nominees can be found in the brochure here.
