Celebration of volunteers at the Suffolk Cricket Collective awards

September 29, 2025

THE fantastic work of volunteers who support grassroots cricket in Suffolk were recognised at the annual Cricket Collective awards.

Hosted by Suffolk Cricket, over 30 volunteers were welcomed to the home of neighbours Essex Cricket to celebrate and share stories of their efforts in developing cricket in their clubs and communities.

Former England captain Graham Gooch was on hand to salute Suffolk’s 2025 Cricket Collective winners.

Gooch presented the trophies and certificates to the winners during the second day’s play between his former county Essex and Somerset at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in Chelmsford.

He praised all the winners for their enthusiasm and commitment before handing out the awards assisted by Suffolk Cricket Ltd Chair Nick Shrubshall.

The winners also received four tickets to watch Essex in a Championship match at Chelmsford next season.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Trevor Clifford, who is about to stand down as Club President having been a player or official of Southwold CC for 60 years. He has served the club in virtually every role including groundsman and has been vital in keeping the club running. No-one has contributed more to sport in Southwold and particularly cricket.

The Services to Coaching category was won by Pete Shepperson of Nowton CC – one of five awards won by the village club.

He coaches the U9, U11, U13, U15 and Women’s team with training and matches often six days a week, setting up friendlies and inter-squad games in addition to league games to give maximum opportunity and game time to all.

Cherelle Theobald of Worlington CC was this year’s Metro Bank Champion of Girls’ Cricket winner.

She has been a driving force behind the growth of girls’ cricket at the club, dedicating her time every Friday to coaching the senior girls’ section, which consists of players aged between 10-years old to 16-years old.

Other recipients of awards included;

Coach of the Year
Annabel Howell
Nowton Cricket Club

Rising Star/s (11-16)
O. Seggie, O. Heatrick, H. Ridgeon, T. Mayhew, B. Shepperson
Nowton Cricket Club

Connecting Communities
BSC Multicultural Services

Growing the Game
Jegadis Kumar
IPSCOL CC

Inspired to Play
Chris Pluck
Gestingthorpe CC/ Cavendish CC

Safe Hands Award
Sam Ridgeon & Rachel Rolfe
Nowton Cricket Club

Volunteer Grounds Management Team of the Year
Nowton Cricket Club

Young Coach of the Year
Ryan Hunwicke
Copdock and OI CC

Tackling Climate Change
Copdock and OI CC

Unsung Hero
Chris Carter
Tuddenham Cricket Club

ABOUT THE CRICKET COLLECTIVE

The Cricket Collective Awards are an annual celebration of the critical work our volunteers play across the recreational game. Cricket wouldn’t exist without you.

First-Class Counties and National Counties oversee their county awards throughout the season, with award winners announced at local events and on County social media channels. The national award winners will be selected from across those who have won County awards and are announced in the winter.