The Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation (GCF) welcomed over 80 volunteers to the 2025 Cricket Collective Awards on Friday, 31 July, as Gloucestershire CCC’s Metro Bank One Day Cup team took on Surrey at the Seat Unique Stadium, to celebrate the invaluable contributions of individuals who ensure the game thrives at the grassroots level. The awards ceremony showcased the incredible work of volunteers from across the county’s 174 affiliated clubs.
Guests were greeted by GCF staff, and the Chair of the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation, Andy Shield, took the opportunity to welcome everyone to the event. Andy was joined by Neil Priscott, CEO of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, who spoke about the importance of volunteering in recreational cricket, and how clubs, the GCF and GCCC all link together.
“The welcome from Andy and Neil set the tone about the importance of volunteers who help to create a thriving and sustainable network of cricket clubs in Gloucestershire. We also heard from David Payne about the volunteers who have contributed to his career, and how he hopes to give back to recreational cricket once his professional career ends.
Being able to shine a light on all the fantastic work that takes place across the recreational game is one of our favourite events on the GCF calendar, and filling the Korev Terrace with volunteers from clubs across our County was incredible.
The event provides an opportunity to thank those who provide vital support to their local clubs and communities, but often fly under the radar, and we’re proud to work with the County Club to deliver such a rewarding event,” said Nicky Clarke, Workforce and Safeguarding Manager at the GCF.
The awards honoured contributions across 12 categories, recognising coaching, young volunteers, grounds work, and much, much more:
2026 Cricket Collective Award Winners:
Newcomer of the Year – Maria Hickman, Winterbourne CC
Young Cricket Collective Champion – Rebecca Chisholme, Whitminster CC
Raising the Game – Tasha Higton, Brislington CC
Metro Bank Champion of Girls Cricket – Karen Le Marquand, Hawkswood Royals CC
Unsung Hero – Martin Jones, Moreton in Marsh CC
Sustainability Innovator – Michelle Tilling, Down Hatherley CC
Official of the Year – Mark Crocker, Cirencester CC
Grounds Management Team of the Year – Jack Baber, Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC
League Legend – Roger Gillespie, GCL & CDCA
Coach of the Year – Matt Fozzard, Bristol United Banks CC
Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching – Chris Drew, Golden Hill CC
Lifetime Achiever – Janet Sawyer, Woodmancote CC
Each award winner represents the very best of cricket in Gloucestershire, from inspiring the next generation to championing sustainability, inclusion, and innovation.
As the One Day Cup match unfolded on the pitch, the day served as a reminder that while players may capture the headlines, at the recreational and professional levels, it is the volunteers who keep the game thriving in communities up and down the county.
The Cricket Collective Awards remain a key date in the GCF’s calendar, shining a spotlight on those who give so much. Working in collaboration with Gloucestershire CCC and Wiltshire Cricket, who also ran their Cricket Collective Awards on Friday, we can’t wait to run this event again in 2027.
