Cricket East

We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Cricket Collective Awards 2026 – celebrating the incredible volunteers who make cricket happen across our communities.

This is your chance to recognise the unsung heroes at your club – from coaches and groundskeepers to committee members and young leaders – who go above and beyond to support the game we all love. Please see the 13 categories below.

Submit your nominations here: Grassroots Cricket Collective Awards Nomination Form 2026

Please take a few minutes to highlight the efforts of those who truly deserve recognition. Nominations are open across a range of categories, and we welcome submissions from all clubs, big and small. This year we also have a prize draw for anyone who enters a nomination. 4 x £25 Argos vouchers are up for grabs, so get nominating for your chance to win!

Deadline for nominations: Midnight on 3rd August 2026

Winners (+ 1 guest) will be invited to a celebration event kindly hosted by Northamptonshire County Cricket Club on 3rd September 2026.

The Categories:
Newcomer of the Year - An individual who has recently stepped into the world of cricket volunteering and made an immediate, positive impact. Whether through fresh ideas, infectious enthusiasm, or a willingness to go above and beyond, this person has quickly become an integral part of their club or community.

Young Cricket Collective Champion - A young volunteer aged 14 to 25 who has brought fresh energy, skills, or ideas to cricket this season, leading by example, acting as a positive role model, and making a meaningful contribution to their team, club or community.

Cricket Collective Champion - An individual who plays a vital role in making recreational cricket happen by championing the volunteers who bring it to life. They support and uplift others, helping to recruit new faces, nurture existing volunteers, and create a welcoming, motivated environment where everyone feels valued.

Raising the Game - A volunteer, committee member, or administrator who has gone above and beyond to help make cricket the most inclusive team sport opening cricket to new participants and communities and helping them thrive and feel welcome.

Metro Bank Champion of Girls' Cricket - An individual, coach, role model, club or group who has championed the development of girls’ cricket, creating opportunities for girls to play, coach, and lead.

Unsung Hero - A dedicated volunteer whose efforts to make cricket happen often go unnoticed or take place behind-the-scenes, yet they continue to go above and beyond to support their club or community and to improve the experience for everyone involved.

Official of the Year - Match Officials, whether as an Umpire or Scorer, who uphold the spirit of cricket through fairness, professionalism and respect, and who make significant contributions to their organisation and the wider cricketing community, including supporting the development of others.

Grounds Person Team of the Year -Volunteers who go the extra mile to make sure players have quality, safe, and sustainable facilities to enjoy cricket throughout the season.

League Legend - A league volunteer, committee member or administrator who goes above and beyond to support clubs, local competitions, and participation levels.

Coach of the Year - A coach who goes above and beyond to inspire and develop players of all ages and abilities, creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable learning environment.

Lifetime Services to Coaching - A individual who has dedicated a lifetime to coaching, nurturing and mentoring players and fellow coaches, creating a lasting legacy across clubs, leagues, counties, or schools.

Lifetime Achiever - An individual whose long-term service has shaped their club, league, or community, leaving a lasting legacy through years of dedication.

Sustainability Innovator - An individual, club, or group 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.