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Oxfordshire Cricket and University of Oxford Partner for Future Leaders Academy

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Oxfordshire Cricket have partnered with the University of Oxford to deliver a transformative leadership module as part of the Future Leaders Academy (FLA), an initiative aimed at inspiring a new generation of volunteers and leaders through a holistic development programme.The FLA was established to empower young people across Oxfordshire to step into leadership and volunteer roles within their communities and clubs. Central to this is a new leadership module that will be delivered by the Programme for Global Leadership at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford. The programme will immerse participants in a dynamic curriculum that blends academic insight with experiential learning.The University-led module will introduce students to five interconnected sessions designed to develop their leadership mindset, skills, and character:What is Good Leadership? – Students examined leadership as a practice rooted in ethics, values, and identity, distinct from authority or control.Leadership and Power – Drawing on ideas from Stanford’s Acting with Power course, this session redefined power as a force for empowering others and building trust.Leading for Growth – Focused on resilience, adaptability, and learning from failure, encouraging students to embrace challenges and seek feedback.Cultivating a Growth Mindset – Improv Workshop – An energising session using improvisational theatre to build presence, self-trust, and communication under pressure.Leading with Courage – A reflective dialogue on fear, vulnerability, and the everyday acts of courage that define meaningful leadership.Throughout the module, students will be challenged to think critically about their own leadership identities, practise skills in a supportive environment, and step outside their comfort zones. By the end of the module, they will have gained tools not only to lead, but to serve, support, and inspire others in their schools, clubs, and communities.Nick Pinhol, Managing Director for Oxfordshire Cricket said:"At Oxfordshire Cricket, we believe that leadership extends far beyond the boundary ropes. Partnering with the University of Oxford to deliver this transformative module allows us to equip young people with the mindset, values, and confidence to lead with purpose — not just in cricket, but in every part of their lives. The Future Leaders Academy is about inspiring a generation who can drive positive change in their clubs, communities, and beyond." Anjali Sarker, Senior Manager, Programme for Global Leadership at the University of Oxford said: We are delighted to partner with Oxfordshire Cricket to nurture the next generation of values-driven leaders, both on and off the field. This collaboration will give the young cricketers a unique opportunity to explore who they are as leaders, build their confidence, and develop the courage to make a meaningful difference in their communities and future careers. This leadership module forms just one part of the broader Future Leaders Academy, which also includes volunteering, and personal development. With continued support, the programme aims to build a pipeline of capable, values-driven individuals ready to take on leadership roles across grassroots cricket and beyond.
Vacancy - Non Executive Directors X3

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Oxfordshire Cricket is seeking to appoint three new Non-Executive Directors to its Board. These individuals will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cricket across the region and strengthening the organisation’s governance. Following a recent board-level skills audit, Oxfordshire Cricket has identified key areas of expertise that it is keen to incorporate into its existing Board to support its strategic ambitions. These areas of expertise are safeguarding, fundraising and performance sport. • Position: Non-Executive Director • Reports to: Board Chair, Peter Tervet • Term: 3 years • Time Commitment: 2 days a month, inclusive of: 6-9 board/committee meetings per year, preparation for meetings, ad-hoc support to the executive • Remuneration: Voluntary – reasonable expenses paid • Location: The Tudor Jones Building, Akeman Street, Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 1TH – however the board run a mixture of in person and remote meetings. To view the candidate pack CLICK HERE How to Apply If you would like to be considered for the position, please contact Joe Blanch, Lead Consultant of KinseySears at [email protected] or 07786 039 496 for a confidential and informal discussion. To formally apply for the role please supply the following: • An up-to-date CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements and preferred contact details. • A brief letter outlining your motivation and suitability in line with the skillsets sought by Oxfordshire Cricket. Send to [email protected] with the reference OX2025. The closing date for applications is 17th November 2025.
Oxfordshire’s Young Leaders Honoured at Future Leaders Academy Awards 2025

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The next generation of leaders were recognised last night at the Future Leaders Awards 2025, with young people from across Oxfordshire celebrated for their outstanding commitment to leadership, volunteering, and community impact. In its first year, the programme attracted 187 sign-ups, with more than 140 young people actively engaged in workshops, training, and volunteering opportunities. From this group, 89 participants successfully completed the full course, earning Bronze, Silver, Gold and Special Recognition Awards. Collectively, participants contributed an impressive 1,999 hours of volunteering across 43 cricket clubs and 58 schools, while also undertaking extensive training in key areas including: 123 completed coaching, first aid, and safeguarding training 123 qualified in umpiring and scoring 117 completed online safeguarding training 44 trained in grounds management 55 studied nutrition in sport 50 explored psychology and leadership traits 18 developed skills in marketinghttps://youtu.be/NdJV2xFp2e4?si=K5rdHy-UqxifMP16Assessors praised both individual transformation and community impact. One commented: “The journey from a shy, uncertain beginner to a confident and contributive coach demonstrates true commitment to personal growth.” Another added: “Their energetic and fun-filled approach created a positive environment that not only developed skills but also fostered a lifelong love for the game.” Among those recognised were Ellen and Imi of Cropredy Cricket Club, who have made history by coaching and supporting the launch of the club’s first-ever Women’s Team. At just 13 and 14 years old, they have inspired women new to cricket with patience, kindness, and expertise – building confidence, breaking barriers, and showing that cricket is truly a game for everyone. Their leadership has ensured that Cropredy will reach its centenary with a women’s team firmly established, a milestone achievement that reflects both their vision and dedication. Nick Pinhol, Managing Director at Oxfordshire Cricket, said: “The Future Leaders Academy Awards showcase the incredible passion, dedication, and potential of young people across Oxfordshire. Their contribution to clubs, schools, and the wider community is invaluable, and it is inspiring to see them grow into confident, capable leaders. These awards highlight not just their achievements today, but the bright future they represent for sport and community leadership in our county.” The Future Leaders Awards shine a spotlight on the vital role of youth leadership in strengthening communities, developing sport, and inspiring the next generation.

Oxfordshire Cricket and Abingdon Vale CC Saddened by Passing of Paul Rallings

07/11/2025

It is with deep sadness that Oxfordshire Cricket and Abingdon Vale Cricket Club announce the passing of Paul Rallings. Paul was a valued and much-loved member of our coaching team for over 11 years, playing an important role in the development of countless young cricketers across our pathway. He coached across multiple age groups, but was especially associated with the Under 12s, where his enthusiasm, guidance, and ability to inspire left a lasting and positive impact on many players and families. Paul was also a long-standing member of Abingdon Vale Cricket Club, where he contributed in many roles over the years as a player, volunteer, and coach. His commitment to the club community mirrored the same generosity and passion he showed across the county pathway, and he will be warmly remembered by all who shared the game with him. In 2024, Paul was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy. Throughout this time, he continued to coach with Oxfordshire, bringing the same energy, care, and resilience that had always defined him. His dedication was recognised that year with the Felix Byam Shaw Award, acknowledging the remarkable impact he had on development and support of young cricketers across the county. Paul continued coaching into 2025 and remained in great spirits with his players and fellow coaches. He retired from his coaching role in September 2025, having given so much of himself to the game and the people within it. Paul brought warmth, humour, and unwavering dedication to every session. His influence extended far beyond cricketing skills—he helped shape confidence, character, and friendships that have continued well beyond the boundary rope. His presence will be deeply missed by players, parents, coaches, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him. From Oxfordshire Cricket, shared by Managing Director Nick Pinhol: “We are deeply saddened by Paul’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. On behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket, we are incredibly grateful for his commitment, kindness, and the lasting contribution he made to our pathway. So many players and coaches still talk fondly about the matches, tours, and those small but meaningful moments in between. Speaking personally, some of my most meaningful coaching experiences were shared with Paul. We spent four years together in the same age group and at least nine years across the pathway. His guidance, patience, and energy made a real difference to those around him, and I feel fortunate to have been part of that journey alongside him.” Our thoughts are with Paul’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. From Oxfordshire Cricket, shared by Performance Director Matt Barnes: “We are devastated to learn of Paul’s passing and our deepest condolences go out to his family, and all those who were close to him at this incredibly sad time. For all the years I knew him, Paul remained a highly valued and fully committed member of our coaching team for which we are incredibly grateful. He loved cricket, which was evident in his enthusiasm for coaching and his strong competitive spirit. I know he treasured the many fond memories created during his time coaching with us. On behalf of Oxfordshire Cricket, I extend our most sincere thanks for the significant and positive impact Paul had on the lives of so many young people within our pathway programme. His invaluable contribution and presence will be sorely missed.” We are grateful for everything he brought to Oxfordshire Cricket, and his legacy will live on in the countless players he helped shape. Rest in peace, Paul. From Abingdon Vale Cricket Club, shared by —- Honorary Secretary Paul White: Paul joined AVCC about 20 years ago, together with his son Mark, originally playing for the Sunday XI to him taking ownership and developing the side from there. He was also a very active coach for both AVCC and the OCB, for many years. As a coach and player, Paul always promoted youth progression, driving this forward when captaining the club's Sunday XI between 2010 and 2012 and AVCC 4th XI (2013-17). During this time he took on coaching, qualifying as a Level 2 coach in 2008 . The biggest praise that could be given to Paul, is that he coached completely without ego and for him the development of the players he was working with was absolutely paramount. This was particularly poignant when AVCC Secretary, Paul White, received the news of Paul's passing, whilst assessing a Core Coach (Level II) coaching course, providing the developing coaches "to be more like Rallo". Paul was universally loved by the membership of AVCC, reflected in the many comments that have flooded their WhatsApp group, now filled with funny and impactive anecdotes and memories. The club passes on our condolences to Phillipa, Mark, Clea, Dawn and the rest of the family
Olly Offwood joins Sussex CCC Academy

07/11/2025

Oxfordshire Cricket is delighted to announce that pace bowling all-rounder Oliver 'Olly' Offwood has been recruited into the Sussex County Cricket Club (Sussex CCC) Academy for the 2025-2026 programme. Olly now officially joins fellow Oxfordshire player, Arthur Hanson in the current Sussex CCC Academy cohort, and follows in the footsteps of recent graduates Alfie Smethurst and Julian Laird, who are both in Australia this winter to accelerate their development. Olly’s selection underscores the effectiveness of the talent development system in developing players capable of progressing into professional county Academy programmes. Olly entered our pathway at the Under 12s age group, progressing through County Age Group Cricket since Under 13s and having also benefited from the 'Bulls' programme during his time that provided targeted support for state-educated players. Identified as a high-potential player at Under 13s, Olly was initially invited to the Boys Emerging Player Programme (Boys EPP) as a 'drop-in' player during 2023, before being fully recruited onto the programme for the 2023-2024 season. He has spent the last two years receiving time investment from Boys EPP support, alongside County Age Group Cricket. This past season, Olly represented our Boys Under 16s and the Men’s 2nd XI, whilst taking advantage of the ECB dual registration system with Sussex CCC, which allowed him to access additional playing and developmental opportunities by representing their Under 16s and 18s. We congratulate Olly on this significant and well-deserved achievement, and we look forward to his continued growth as he takes on this exciting next step in his developmental journey. On the news of joining the Sussex Cricket Academy, Olly said: “I was a little shocked and totally blown away when Keith and I had the conversation about selection for the Sussex Academy. This has been a long-term ambition of mine and a major stepping stone to my goal of becoming a professional cricketer. As the winter work approaches, I’m really excited to get cracking and put in the hard work for all the facets of my game, driving it forward for the 2026 season. The next two years are likely to be the best I will experience so far as a cricket player and I aim to use them to best fulfil my potential as a cricketer, not just how I perform on the field, but what I do off it as well. I would like to acknowledge the huge investment that Oxfordshire has put into my development. The pathway, that I have been a part of since 2020, has provided me an environment that has tested my ability with and against some brilliant players but also one where I have been able to play the sport I love with some of my best friends. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t genuinely excited to play every game and wear the Oxfordshire shirt with pride. Furthermore, the EPP programme which I was a part of for the last 3 years has provided me with an environment where my super strengths have been developed and my weaknesses improved significantly too. As well as that, I was provided with a space where I could have a say in my development and discuss with the coaches where I felt I could improve. There are so many people that I can thank for their help so far in my journey but specifically I would like to acknowledge Matt, Alan and Rupert for their help in the EPP, Sam for backing and support throughout my time at Oxfordshire and Duncan for his help in the last couple of years. Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Keith Greenfield for the amazing opportunity.” Matthew Barnes - Performance Director at Oxfordshire Cricket said: "It's always an honour to share positive news, and Olly joining the Academy with our partners, Sussex CCC is no exception. We are incredibly proud of Olly’s significant achievement that presents a wonderful opportunity for him to accelerate his potential. Olly’s journey is particularly inspiring for all our pathway players because it highlights exactly what is possible: with Olly progressing through our talent system whilst in the state-educated sector, before recently moving to Radley College for Sixth Form. We look forward to seeing Olly’s continued growth and are delighted to keep playing a part in his development via our Men's programme in the future. On behalf of Oxfordshire Cricket I wish Olly the very best of luck with life at Sussex CCC.” Keith Greenfield - Director of Pathways and Cricket Partnerships at Sussex Cricket said: “I was impressed with the way Ollie worked and improved throughout last winter's EPP training sessions up in Oxford. Ollie continued that throughout the summer when playing in our u16s matches in the summer, he has high potential with both bat and ball, and has also shown excellent attitude and character in playing and managing his cricket. We look forward to working further with Ollie to continue to improve his game and help him take his skills to higher levels in the year ahead.”
Future Leaders Academy Launches 2025/26 Cohorts

07/11/2025

Future Leaders Academy Launches 2025/26 Cohorts The Future Leaders Academy (FLA) officially launched its 2025/26 Year 1 and Year 2 cohorts at a special event held on 27 October at Sixes Social Cricket in Oxford, marking the beginning of another year of leadership and volunteering development for young people across the county.The event was hosted by Sam Keir and brought together participants, families, clubs, schools, community partners and supporters of the programme. The evening also featured a keynote panel discussion reflecting on the importance of youth leadership in community sport, with:Rosie Benson, Head of Clubs, Sport EnglandCllr Mark Lygo, Chair of Oxfordshire County CouncilImi Watts, Year 2 Future Leaders Academy ParticipantNick Pinhol, Managing Director, Oxfordshire CricketChris Mankelow, Partnership and Performance Manager, England and Wales Cricket BoardThe Future Leaders Academy, funded by Oxfordshire Cricket with very kind contributions from Sport England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and supporting charities, provides young people aged 13–18 with the chance to develop personal leadership skills, gain practical qualifications and contribute meaningfully to the cricket community. The programme is free to all participants, ensuring it remains accessible across Oxfordshire.Interest in the programme continues to grow, with over 150 people expressing interest in Year 1, and over 50 in Year 2.Demonstrated Community ImpactDuring the 2024/25 programme year, Academy participants collectively recorded 1,999 hours of volunteering across clubs, schools and cricket programmes throughout the county — strengthening participation pathways, supporting junior cricket activity and enhancing the experience of players and families across the grassroots game.The launch of the Future Leaders Academy in 2024/25 brought together 187 participants from 43 clubs and 58 schools, with a mix of backgrounds and interests. In its first year, the Academy offered a range of eight modules focusing on areas such as coaching, umpiring, scoring, safeguarding and first aid. Participants are required to complete four mandatory modules and can choose from up to four optional ones that include nutrition, psychology, grounds workshops and marketing. These modules are designed to be practical, hands-on, and immediately applicable to the participants' roles as volunteers.Initial feedback from participants, parents, and facilitators has been overwhelmingly positive, with 94% of parents noting a positive influence on their child’s leadership and communication skills, while 88% of parents also observed a positive effect on their child’s mental health.This impact reflects the FLA’s commitment to developing young leaders who support not only their own personal growth, but the sustainability and inclusivity of the wider cricket ecosystem.A Two-Stage Development PathwayThe launch introduced both new and returning participants to their programme year:Year 1 participants begin their journey focused on personal development, confidence, communication and foundational leadership skills, supported through core workshops including Coaching, First Aid, Online Safety, and Psychology & Leadership Traits.Year 2 participants move into applied leadership practice, undertaking workshops in areas such as Coaching, Leadership, Neurodiversity, and Business of Cricket & Club Structures, alongside optional specialist modules.The Academy continues to draw upon its partnership with the University of Oxford, delivering a bespoke leadership component exploring ethical leadership, influence, confidence and resilience.Looking AheadWorkshops, volunteering placements and project opportunities will run throughout the 2025/26 academic and cricket seasons, with participants working toward Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition through their training and community contributions.Speaking at the launch, Nick Pinhol, Managing Director of Oxfordshire Cricket, said:“The Future Leaders Academy is about far more than cricket. It is about giving young people the support, confidence and platform to lead in their communities. We are incredibly proud of what the programme has already achieved and excited to see the next group of young leaders step forward.”Leshia Hawkins, Managing Director of the Recreational Game at the ECB said, “The Future Leaders Academy is a shining example of how cricket can empower young people far beyond the boundary ropes. We have been pleased to see this programme develop and grow; it not only nurtures leadership and volunteering but also strengthens the grassroots game by investing in the next generation of changemakers.” Head of Clubs at Sport England, Rosie Benson said: "Volunteering has the power to transform lives - not just for the communities it supports, but for the young people who step forward to lead. “The Future Leaders Academy is a brilliant example of how sport can be a gateway to confidence, connection and purpose. By giving young people the tools to lead and the space to grow, programmes like this help build a stronger, more inclusive grassroots game and inspire lifelong involvement in sport and volunteering. We’re proud to support this work and excited to see the next generation of leaders shaping the future of cricket and their communities." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuJvE-2Zo28