The ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards held on Thursday night provided the perfect opportunity for NZC to recognise some outstanding contributions by members of the cricketing community. Below are the winners of the 2018/19 season:
Gillette Venus Cup Player of the Year – Amelia Kerr, Tawa College
A classy performer with bat and ball, Amelia finished the tournament as top run scorer with 344 runs at an average of 68.4, including four 50s. With the ball, the schoolgirl international took nine wickets with a best performance of five for 6, and a tournament best economy rate of 1.88.
Gillette Cup Player of the Year – Tim Campbell, Wellington College
Tim had an outstanding tournament leading his Wellington College team to their first Gillette Cup title since 2001. The number 3 made a tournament high 379 runs from 5 games with a top score of 114. Tim also went on to represent Wellington at the national U19 tournament.
Club of the Year - Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club
Affectionately known as the ‘Pride of Burnside’, it is one of the few clubs that offers a complete playing pathway for males and females. Over the past year, as part of increased playing base the club’s commitment to inclusion and diversity has also seen their ethnic team numbers increase.
Volunteer of the Year - Malcolm Jones, Otago Country Cricket Association
Known simply as ‘Jonesy’ - Malcolm has been a tireless advocate for cricket in Otago Country. Current chair of the Otago Country Cricket Association, he has led the organisation into a position of strength and was instrumental in bringing first-class cricket back to Alexandra. This feat was achieved following Malcolm’s relentless voluntary work and advocacy for Otago Country.
Official of the Year - Cheryl Styles, Johnsonville Cricket Club
Cheryl has been a scorer for more than 40 years. She’s been a strong supporter of Johnsonville Cricket Club, where she’s been made a life member, and this past season she completed her 400th game for the club.
In 2016 she was elected as Vice President of Cricket Wellington and is one of only 50 New Zealanders to receive an ICC Centenary Medal for Services to Cricket.
Cricket Development Officer of the Year - Rebecca Yee, Bay of Plenty Cricket
Rebecca’s passion for, and commitment to girl’s cricket has enabled hundreds of girls to experience cricket in a fun, safe, and all-inclusive environment. Her innovation has increased Go Girls festival day entries significantly, including 160 girls that had never previously played before. The programmes have developed enough players to almost triple the girls-only team entries in the Saturday grade.
Best Female Engagement Strategy - Girls Smash, Otago Cricket
Girls Smash is a free primary school initiative aimed at increasing participation in a fun, friendly and supportive environment. Introduced in 2017 with 74 teams across the region, with over 500 girls experiencing cricket, many for the first time. Centres are now based in Dunedin, Gore, Invercargill, Oamaru, Alexandra and Queenstown. The initiative has grown each year and is well supported by the local community. To accept the award on behalf of Otago Cricket, Jess Davidson.
Outstanding Contribution and Services to Coaching - Mark Bracewell, Otago Cricket
For many years, Mark has gone above and beyond to serve cricketers in the Otago region. He regularly makes trips from Dunedin to Invercargill to deliver coaching sessions. Mark’s energy and passion shines through, and the engagement and development of the players under his guidance has been phenomenal. He is a true champion of the game, with a great ability to adapt and evolve just like cricket itself.
Outstanding Contribution to Cricket - Kevin Scanlon, Buller Cricket Association
Kevin Scanlon has led cricket in the Buller and Canterbury region for over 50 years. Under Kevin’s leadership there’ve been multiple initiatives adopted, the most notable of which has been the shift of senior men’s cricket to mid-week – leading to an increase in team numbers. The driving force in establishing a full-time shared Development Officer with three other sporting codes and the local recreation centre. Kevin’s effort and commitment to the Canterbury Trust, and the development of Hagley Oval over the past decade, has contributed to the region now having one of the finest test cricket venues in the country.
Sir Jack Newman Award - Doug Bracewell, Wairarapa Cricket Association
Over the past 40 years Doug has been a leading member of the Wairarapa Junior Cricket Board, the Wairarapa Cricket Board and club committees. He’s been a vital and consistent part of the Wairarapa Cricket landscape and has not only directly influenced junior cricket through his work, he’s also been a mentor within the Wairarapa for other junior coaches including recently helping implement new NZC Coach Developer programmes.
