Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
South Australia had great success at this year’s National Community Cricket Awards, with three national winners and four highly commended second places. The National Community Cricket Awards are presented by Cricket Australia during National Volunteer Week (20-26 May 2024). Each year, the Awards recognise volunteers for their outstanding contribution to cricket. SACA’s state award winners were all nominated for the National Awards.
Josh Niederer, Reynella Cricket Club – Winner of Young Leader of the Year
Josh and his family established an All-Abilities cricket program for children with a disability. As Inclusive Programs Director, Josh ensures that all players, parents and carers are made to feel included in all club activities, while raising awareness of the program. The program now provides a full junior to senior pathway for players of all-abilities. This season, Reynella entered a team in the inaugural Adelaide Inclusive Cricket League. Josh has been involved in the establishment of this league and has built relationships with all the other clubs involved. A highlight for Reynella this season was seeing a player who has come up through the All-Abilities program make his senior debut for the Inclusive Team.
Payneham Cricket Club – Winner of Junior Initiative of the Year
Payneham has worked with SACA to utilise Flicx pitches to be able to cater for up to three U10s teams on a Friday night. They have also been able to incorporate their Strikers Girls Cricket League girls’ team into Friday night fixture, playing alongside the U10s. This has resulted in a hub-like format that has allowed family and friends to gather at the club and support all teams. The club has opened the bar and provided a BBQ for the families and have received great support and feedback from visiting clubs around the Friday night atmosphere. Payneham have also captured drone footage of their Friday night hub to further promote their junior program and are looking to purchase another Flicx pitch so they can continue to provide options for more teams in future seasons.
Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club – Winner of Technology & Media Initiative of the Year
For their annual Ashley Bryant Memorial T20 Exhibition Match, the Coromandel Valley Ramblers utilised their Frogbox streaming service to set up three cameras, a four-person commentary team and player microphones on the field to replicate the access seen at the elite level. This enabled the commentators to communicate with players on-field, which was streamed live via YouTube and the Coromandel Ramblers social media. Special guest Premier Peter Malinauskas even rolled up his sleeves to deliver the first ball of the match, before stepping into the commentary box. The 7NEWS Adelaide team were also there to do a small story and a live weather cross during the exhibition match. The production value of this major fundraiser for the Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club has provided greater exposure for the event, the club and its sponsors. Community members who were unable to attend the event in person were able to enjoy a high-quality experience of the exhibition game remotely.
Tanunda Cricket Club & the Barossa Council – Highly Commended for Community Facility Project of the Year
This project has completely transformed multi-faceted facilities including clubrooms, changerooms, a new junior oval (with junior marking related to cricket pitches), main oval enlarging, lighting upgrade, resurfacing of main oval with five wicket new turf pitch square, new drainage, irrigation and Practice Net Facility upgrade to ensure compliance to Cricket Australia guidelines.
Brighton Cricket Club & Childhood Cancer Association – Highly Commended for Community Cricket Partnership of the Year
Brighton Cricket Club recently had the opportunity to actively support the Childhood Cancer Association by organising a “Bash for Cash” day to raise funds and awareness for the Childhood Cancer Association in support of local families battling cancer, a cause close to the hearts of the Brighton community. The Childhood Cancer Association provides practical support to children and their families through counselling, accommodation, respite, sibling support, financial assistance and advocacy.
Brett MacTavish, Modbury Cricket Club – Highly Commended for Community Cricket Coach of the Year
Brett’s methodical approach to coaching emphasises skill development, team cohesion, and ethical conduct. He has implemented a variety of training methods to cater to and develop individual strengths and weaknesses of each player, ensuring their well-rounded development. Brett’s comprehensive approach to personal development sets a high standard for what it means to be a community coach.
Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association – Highly Commended for Community Cricket Association of the Year
The Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association always promotes and prides itself on their Junior Cricket program, from Cricket Blast, where 75% of clubs actively run a Blast program, through to the mixed U10s, 12s, 14s and 16s pathway, in which team numbers have grown this season. The Association has also made significant impact with its community regarding technology. This includes a segment on the Facebook page called ‘Roaming On the Front Foot’, where President Mark Stokes interviews players, captains, club presidents and volunteers, with the aim to promote cricket and engage interest in the Association’s competition.
