Oxfordshire Cricket Board

Tuesday 9th October saw Lords host the annual NatWest OSCAs to celebrate and recognise all the efforts and achievements of the winners from all 37 county boards.

The NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards) are aimed at recognising those volunteers who give their time to the game of cricket – without these individuals the game would not survive. These could be people who have been around at a Cricket Club for many years or people who are new to a club or role and have made a significant difference in a short space of time.

ECB chief executive, Tom Harrison, introduced the day and personally thanked all of the people in the room for their work at clubs throughout the year, and for contributing to making cricket more attractive and sustainable for the future. Alison Mitchell then took over proceedings for the remainder of the awards ceremony, welcoming special guests Heather Knight, Michael Vaughan and Ollie Pope on stage to hand out national awards to volunteers in the room.

Oxfordshire Cricket were delighted to see Anna Tait, Jack Lambden and Ed Squires all recognised at the event for the their efforts at their respective clubs after winning the Oxfordshire awards.

Heartbeat of the Club Oxfordshire Winner - Anna Tait (BanburyCC)
 Anna joined Banbury when he son started playing a number of years ago, and has since run age group teams, joined the youth committee, join the general committee. Is now chairman of youth, as well as be part of the decision making team for the whole club. Her other roles, collecting match fees from all five senior teams each week-end, thus improving cash flow. Running BBQ’s each Friday evening, running Kwik cricket comps for under 9’s. She is part of the sponsorship and finance committee, part of the child welfare team. Anna is truly the heart beat of all that is good at BCC.

Lifetime Achiever Oxfordshire Winner - Ed Squires (Moreton CC)
 Ed has been a playing member at Moreton for 30 years, and a Committee member for 20. As a result of his hard work in the time, Moreton now boasts 120 members, a booming junior section and a recently installed 2 lane net facility. His selfless devotion to the organisation has also been a catalyst for others to engage and it would not be an exaggeration to say the club may not have survived without his efforts.

Young Volunteer Oxfordshire Winner - Jack Lambden (Banbury CC)
 Jack is only 20 years old, and has already a long list of roles under his belt at Banbury CC, at present he is Club Secretary his second year, his minutes are prompt, arcuate and concise, and he fulfils the role of a big club without fuss. He is Mid week league captain. In the past he has captained age group club sides, including captaining and running Banbury Under 19 T20 side, coached younger age groups. He hardly misses a Saturday league game, or social event. He help organise cricket force and gets his peers to attend.

Congratulations to all of our winners and nominees - we hope you enjoyed your day out at Lords!