Women & Girls awards in spotlight
The next focus for the coverage of the recent Presentation Night held at the Albright Hussey Hotel near Shrewsbury is our Women and Girls’ Awards.
Such has the growth been in Women and Girls’ cricket in Shropshire in the past five years, we now hold a separated Presentation Evening at the Wroxeter Hotel.
But the top awards were saved for the Board’s Presentation Evening and were introduced by women and Girls Recreational Cricket Officer Katie Rushton and presented by partner Rachel Fowler from Strategic Leisure.
Strategic Leisure has been a key partner of the Board’s Women and Girls’ cricket offer for a number of years now, helping to fund the offer provided by the Board.
The Metro Bank Champion of Girl’s Cricket – Will Hurford (Albrighton CC)
Katie said: “Will has significantly impacted girls’ cricket at Alrbighton by increasing participation, developing skills, and sharing their knowledge. As the 2nd XI captain, he ensures women and girls are fully involved in games, often recruiting players and providing them with key roles. His efforts have created a positive team atmosphere, earned praise from opponents, and led to notable achievements for female players at the county level.”
Rising Star – Live Preston (Allscott Heath CC)
Katie said: “Liv has had an incredible season, developing significantly in both skill and confidence. She is a positive role model, actively supporting and encouraging her team, and taking her leadership roles seriously. She is keen to learn more about scoring and umpiring, and promotes cricket within her school community. Her attitude, resilience, and support for others are inspiring, making her a rising star in the sport. She consistently helps others during training and matches, offering guidance and feedback. Her enthusiasm and dedication inspire her peers, and her leadership roles demonstrate her commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.”
Girls Club of the Year – Allscott Heath CC
Katie said: “Allscott HeathCC have grown exponentially over the last 12-18 months, thanks to the support of a core of enthusiastic volunteers and parents. They have engaged in our activity from the very start of the season supporting the Astro turf softball festival in April followed by the summer softball festivals and ECB festival at the start of September. They have also been one of the six core teams starting the foundations of our league structure this season entering our newly formed U12 development league. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and awareness the girls have for the game, testament to the hard work and support of the club, volunteers and parents. We look forward to seeing the club continue to flourish.”
Women’s Club of the Year – Oswestry CC
Katie said: “There were so many of our cubs that would have been recipients of this award this year which is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our Women’s Softball and Hardball Clubs across the county and the work their volunteers do to ensure a sustained engagement all year round. Oswestry stormed both their softball and hardball leagues, finishing top in the newly formed Super 10s County League, losing just one fixture, and Shropshire 8s Hardball division. As a club they are also keen supporters of our indoor activity during the Autumn and Winter months. Beyond their playing success, they are a fantastic group of individuals both on and off the field, supporting their own players and young players that move up through the ranks. Furthermore, they have built great rapport and camaraderie with their fellow women’s hardball and softball teams, evidenced during the Women and Girls’ presentation evening back in September. We look forward to seeing the squad continue to grow through local school links seeing the women and girls continue to thrive.”
- If anyone would like a high-resolution digital version of any of these pictures, we can supply them for £5, half of which will be donated to the chosen charity of the evening MIND. If you wish to order three pictures it will be £10, five for £15 or 10 for £20. Please email info@cricketshropshire.co.uk