GCB OSCA Winners Honoured at Lords

Find out more about the Natwest OSCAs Programme
Volunteers from across Gloucestershire mingled with the stars this week as they were honoured for their hard work and committment at a national awards ceremony at Lords.

The Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards (OSCAs) is an annual programme that recognises the efforts of grassroots volunteers in clubs around the country. The seven winners from Gloucestershire joined over the other 350 volunteers from across England and Wales in a star studded ceremony at the home of cricket. Hosted by BBC Radio Test Match Special commentator Jonathon Agnew a host of current and former England stars including James Anderson, Matt Prior, Michael Vaughan and Claire Taylor turned out in force to recognise the outstanding contributions.

The awards are presented in eight different categories including Lifetime Acheivement, Young Volunteer and Behind The Scenes. The Gloucestershire winners were selected earlier in the year by the GCB Directors and will be invited to be the Board's guests at a county game of their choice in the 2012 season. Two of these volunteers were also shortlisted for a National OSCAs award as recognition for the exceptional work.

The first of these, Chris Germaine, was nominated in the 'Building Partnerships' catergory. Not only the groundsman and a driving force of development in his own club, Newent Cricket Club, Chris has also acted as the Chairman on the GCBs Schools and Community Group which is responsible for the coordination of all school and community delivery across the county. Building partnerships with School Sports Partnerships and Competition Managers he also more recently ensured the County Sports Partnerships were on board to help the Board put together plans to achieve the Sport England adult participation targets.

Geoffrey Trett was the other GCB OSCA winner to be shortlisted for the National Award - this time in the 'Officials' catergory. A lifelong scorer and cricket lover Geoffrey has taken on the role for many clubs in the county including Hatherley & Reddings and Cheltenham. He also scores on many occassions for Gloucestershire age group sides, Gloucestershire Gypsies and in the Cheltenham Indoor Cricket League. Geoff has also been recently appointed as the Scorers Representative on the Gloucestershire Association of Cricket Officials (GACO) and by the ECB as the National Scorers Administration Officer.

The GCB wishes again to congratulate all of this year's OSCA winners as well as all the other hardworking and passionate volunteers so evident in our clubs. Without volunteers cricket in any form is not possible.