Nominations for the 2025 Cricket Collective are now open!
Volunteers play an integral role across all levels of cricket in England and Wales, from the parent-helpers and young volunteers at All Stars sessions to community leaders and the club and Foundation Chairs. Recreational cricket can only exist thanks to volunteers.
When asked what volunteers enjoy about volunteering, the most popular answer was to ‘feel part of the cricket family’. In 2023, to nurture this sentiment, the ECB launched The Cricket Collective, a vehicle to raise the profile of volunteering nationally and progress game-wide volunteer development and support.
The Cricket Collective is the army of volunteers that make cricket happen. It includes the person who dedicates their life for 20 years, and the person who contributes 30 minutes every two weeks. It is the long drives to away games, making the tea, or cutting the grass. It’s anyone who devotes time to ensure that recreational cricket goes ahead, who helps to connect and inspire their local community. Volunteering has never been more important.
The Cricket Collective Awards 2025 are open for nominations, recognizing volunteers who make a difference in cricket across England and Wales. The awards highlight individuals who contribute to clubs and community groups, with various categories available for nominations. The deadline for nominations in Worcestershire close at midnight on Sunday 31st August.
A description of the categories for which you can nominate is provided below:
- Coach of the Year
A coach who goes the extra mile and is a true coaching hero to their club, league, county or school. - Connecting Communities
A club or community organisation which has gone above and beyond to #raisethegame and support communities and/or groups. - Inspired to Play
An individual or group within your club or community organisation going above and beyond to #raisethegame and open the game up to new audiences. - The Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket
A volunteer, coach and/or group role model who has championed growing girls’ cricket at their club. - Cricket Innovators
Someone who has brought new ideas and/or implemented new systems to improve your club or community group. - Growing the Game
A league volunteer, committee member, or administrator going above and beyond to support clubs and help increase the number of games played. - Lifetime Achiever
That one individual who has given many years of service to your club or community group and who you could not do without. - Rising Star
A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 11-16-year-olds). - Game Changer
A young volunteer making a difference in the game (for 17-25-year-olds). - Volunteer Grounds Team of the Year
An opportunity to reward and recognise those volunteers who are working hard and improving the places where the game is played. - Safe Hands
An individual who has gone above and beyond to create a positive and inclusive environment for young people to enjoy the game. - Tackling Climate Change
A club or community organisation that is addressing the threat climate change poses to cricket, by making sustainable changes to operations, adapting their facilities and/or engaging and educating their local community. - Young Coach of the Year
A young person who is already passing on their enthusiasm for the game and inspiring the next generation of players (16-25-year-olds). - Unsung Hero
Those heroes who impact our game from behind the scenes and help us make cricket happen. - Outstanding Contribution – Services to Coaching
This person is the life and soul at your club, in your league, in your county or at your school, coaching and making a difference to players.
If you would like to nominate a special volunteer for one of these awards, you can complete the nomination form: https://forms.office.com/e/vvhnZqAs30