The 2015 OSCAs in Wales

15th September 2015 | Mallory Gray

 

           

 

Wales’ off-field cricket stars have been rewarded at the annual NatWest OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards).

The awards recognise the vital contribution that volunteers make to the game throughout Wales.

“Cricket simply would not exist without the volunteers in clubs, leagues, boards and the community more widely,” said Cricket Wales chief executive, Peter Hybart.

“The individuals, and in one case the twins, who have won this year’s NatWest OSCAs represent the tip of the iceberg as far as volunteering is concerned. Cricket in Wales is fortunate to have such dedicated people who devote their time, energy and skills into the sport.”

The 2015 Cricket Wales OSCAs winners received their awards at The SSE SWALEC (formerly the SWALEC Stadium), home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.

The winners are:

Jonathan Finn, Cimla (Category; Get the Game On)

After being forced to give up cricket due to serious injury, Cimla CC’s youngest-ever chairman, Jon Finn has shown outstanding merit in keeping cricket alive at the club.

In the last year in particular, Cimla CC has been threatened by local government cutbacks which saw the local authority withdraw its playing fields and pavilion maintenance.

More than anyone, Jon has stepped into the breach and has put in the hours necessary to ensure the ground has been fit for play and, almost single-handedly, he has effected an overall improvement.

On match-days, he acts as team manager, match-host at home games, co-ordinates selection as well as his ground duties and continues to have a positive influence on team affairs.

Brinley John, Llangennech, Llanelli (Leagues)

When Brinley John joined the committee of Llangennech Cricket Club he took a keen interest in junior cricket and initiated moves to establish a league.

At that initial meeting in 1973 officials were elected and Brinley took on the role that no-one else wanted, Honorary Treasurer.

Initially he coached, organised and umpired matches for Llangennech. Eventually, he handed over those roles to younger people, but has maintained his role as treasurer of the Junior League. He ensures that finances remain healthy and that all opportunities for grant aid, sponsorship and council support are taken. At 86 and having served for 43 years he shows no signs of stepping down.

The South Wales Junior Cricket League, probably the largest junior league in the country, was his idea and he has been a driving force since the beginning.

Roy Emmott, Newport (NatWest CricketForce)

Roy is at the forefront of Newport Fugitives CC’s Natwest CricketForce ground improvement programme each year - planning the tasks for the days and getting together the manpower and materials.

As a result of Roy’s work, the club has developed relationships with local suppliers who provide materials and sponsorship, and the club’s work has been highlighted in the media through Cricket Wales.

Numbers have increased year on year from under 10 to an average of 35, and on one occasion more than 50. Roy has also gained involvement from local young offenders, who complete tasks with a view to getting them away from a troubled background.

Work completed in recent years has included new showers, basins and urinals, picket fence, patio areas with benches , painting the pavilion, under hedge kick boards, as well as all the tasks for getting set up for the season.

Mike Knight and Dave Knight, Newport (Heartbeat of the Club)

Mike and Dave are identical twins who have been the stalwarts of Newport CC for 40 years.  Both ex-school teachers, they devote most of their spare time to club business and especially the development of young cricketers.

They were involved in the development of the youth section which resulted in Newport CC becoming UK Club of the Year in 1991 and since then have been instrumental in promoting youth development making Newport CC the premier club in this regard in Wales. Their development of cricket for girls has been particularly impressive.

Consequently, the Club has become the following:

•             ECB U13 National Club Champions 2005 & 2010

•             ECB U15 National Club Runners-Up 2007

•             ECB Premier League National Champions 2013

•             Lady Taverners ECB U13 UK Winners 2013 & 2014 and Runners-Up 2011

•             Lady Taverners ECB U15 UK Winners 2014 and Runners-Up 2013

•             Sri Lankan training base for the 2013 ICC Trophy in recognition of the high quality of its two pitches and four-bay all-weather training area.

Currently, Mike and Dave’s roles within the club cover the areas of: coaching (head and assistant), junior administration, grounds maintenance, website administration, sponsorship, fundraising, clothing sales and project management.

Derek Rees, Dunvant, Swansea (Lifetime Achiever)

After finishing a playing career with Mumbles CC, Derek moved into umpiring with the South Wales Cricket Association. During that time he has been an active member of the former Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers and then became an important contributor within the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) as a Local Trainer.

When the South Wales Premier League was created Derek was a member of the inaugural umpire panel.

Over many years Derek has been an active tutor/trainer within the Llanelli and District ACO, and he  took over the chairmanship after the passing of his good friend and colleague Ken James.

More recently Derek has taken on the role as county performance officer for the South West Wales ACO (Llanelli and Swansea) branches.

Now approaching his mid-70s, Derek continues to umpire, and his eagerness to do so was illustrated again earlier this season when he had laser eye surgery for a cataract only to be back out in the middle within a week.

Maurice Leyland, Pembroke (Lifetime Achiever)

Maurice has been a member of Pembroke Dock CC for 50 years, from the age of 18. He started volunteering to help clear the land so that the club house could be built, and he went on to captain the team which won the Alec Colley Cup in 1971.

Maurice has been the treasurer since 1969, and since becoming the groundsman, he created a quality pitch and outfield, on which the club hosts many senior and junior county matches.

In 1977 he instigated a pub six-a-side tournament; which has been run every year since, and has raised more than £20,000.

Maurice has always worked closely with local schools, marking out pitches for Kwik Cricket and rounders tournaments. When other clubs have been unable to prepare a pitch or ground, the cricket development officer will phone, with short notice, and Maurice obliges. 

All winners go on to represent Cricket Wales at the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) OSCAs at Lord's on 12 October

 

 

 

Cyflwyno Gwobrau ‘OSCAs’ Criced Cymru

Cafodd unigolion sy’n serennu oddi ar y maes yn y byd criced yng Nghymru eu gwobrwyo yn seremoni  OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards) flynyddol y NatWest.

Mae’r gwobrwyon yn cydnabod y cyfraniad hanfodol a wneir gan wirfoddolwyr i’r gêm ledled Cymru.

“Ni fyddai criced yn bodoli o gwbl heb y gwirfoddolwyr yn y clybiau, cynghreiriau, byrddau, a’r gymuned ehangach,” meddai prif weithredwr Criced Cymru, Peter Hybart.

“Dim ond codi cwr y llen ar y maes gwirfoddoli a wnawn ni drwy wobrwyo’r unigolion, ac mewn un achos, efeilliaid, hyn a enillodd OSCAs y NatWest eleni.  Mae Criced yng Nghymru’n ffodus iawn i gael pobl mor ymroddgar sy’n rhoi cymaint o’u hamser, egni a sgiliau i’r gêm.”

Derbyniodd enillwyr OSCAs Criced Cymru 2015 eu gwobrwyon yn  SSE SWALEC (Stadiwm SWALEC gynt), sef cartref Clwb Criced Morgannwg.

Dyma’r enillwyr:

Jonathan Finn, Cimla (Categori; Cadw’r Gêm yn Fyw)

Ar ôl cael ei orfodi i roi’r gorau i chwarae criced yn dilyn anaf difrifol, mae cadeirydd ifancaf erioed Clwb Criced Cimla, Jon Finn, yn haeddu pob clod am gadw criced yn fyw yn y clwb.

Yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf yn arbennig, bu  Clwb Criced Cimla dan fygythiad yn sgil toriadau gan y  llywodraeth leol,  a olygai bod yr awdurdod lleol wedi rhoi’r gorau i gynnal a chadw’r meysydd chwarae a’r pafiliwn.

Yn anad neb arall, camodd Jon i’r adwy ac mae wedi ymroi i wneud y gwaith angenrheidiol i sicrhau bod y llain yn addas i chwarae arni, ac heb fawr o gymorth, mae wedi llwyddo i wella’r cyfleusterau’n  gyffredinol.

Ar ddyddiau gêm mae’n rheolwr tîm, yn croesawu’r ymwelwyr, ac yn gyfrifol am ddethol chwaraewyr yn ogystal â gofalu am y llain, ac mae’n parhau i gael dylanwad positif trwyddi draw.

Brinley John, Llangennech, Llanelli (Cynghreiriau)

Pan ymunodd Brinley John â phwyllgor Clwb Criced Llangennech dechreuodd gymryd diddordeb mawr mewn criced iau ac aeth ati i sefydlu cynghrair.

Yn y cyfarfod cyntaf yn 1973 etholwyd swyddogion a derbyniodd Brinley’r rôl nad oedd unrhyw un arall ei eisiau, sef Trysorydd Anrhydeddus.

Ar y dechrau bu’n hyfforddi, trefnu a dyfarnu gemau ar gyfer Llangennech.  Yn nes ymlaen, trosglwyddodd y rolau hynny i bobl iau, ond mae wedi parhau gyda’i rôl fel trysorydd y Gynghrair Iau.  Mae’n gwneud yn siwr bod y sefyllfa ariannol yn un iach, ac yn manteisio ar bob cyfle i ymgeisio am grantiau, nawdd a chefnogaeth gan y cyngor.  Yn 86 oed, mae wedi gwasanaethu’r clwb am dros 43 o flynyddoedd a does dim arwydd ei fod yn bwriadu rhoi’r gorau iddi.  Ei syniad ef oedd Cynghrair Criced Iau De Cymru, sef cynghrair criced iau fwyaf y wlad mae’n siwr, a bu’n ysgogiad pwysig o’r cychwyn cyntaf.

Roy Emmott, Casnewydd (NatWest CricketForce)

Mae Roy yn un o geffylau blaen rhaglen gwella lleiniau menter Natwest CricketForce Clwb Criced Newport Fugitives bob blwyddyn – yn cynllunio tasgau’r dydd ac yn dod â’r gweithlu a’r defnyddiau at ei gilydd.

O ganlyniad i waith Roy, mae’r clwb wedi datblygu perthynas â chyflenwyr lleol sy’n darparu defnyddiau a nawdd, ac mae gwaith y clwb wedi cael sylw yn y cyfryngau trwy gyfrwng Criced Cymru.

Mae’r niferoedd wedi cynyddu o un flwyddyn i’r llall, o dros 10 i gyfartaledd o 35, ac ar un achlysur, dros 50.  Mae Roy wedi llwyddo i gael troseddwyr ifanc lleol i gymryd rhan, sy’n cwblhau tasgau, yn y gobaith o’u denu i ffwrdd o’u cefndiroedd cythryblus.

Mae’r gwaith a gwblhawyd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf yn cynnwys cawodydd newydd ac ailwampio’r toiledau, ffens bolion, ardaloedd patio gyda meinciau, paentio’r pafiliwn, byrddau cicio dan y gwrychoedd, yn ogystal â’r holl dasgau paratoi ar gyfer y tymor.

Mike Knight a Dave Knight, Casnewydd (Curiad Calon y Clwb)

Mae Mike a Dave yn efeilliaid unfath a fu ymhlith hoelion wyth Clwb Criced Casnewydd ers deugain mlynedd bellach.  Yn gyn-athrawon, mae’r ddau’n rhoi’r rhan fwyaf o’u hamser sbâr i faterion y clwb ac yn arbennig i ddatblygiad cricedwyr ifanc.

Roeddent yn rhan o’r broses o ddatblygu’r adran iau a helpodd i sicrhau teitl ‘UK Club of the Year’ i Glwb Criced Casnewydd yn 1991, ac ers hynny maent wedi chwarae rhan allweddol yn hyrwyddo datblygiad ieuenctid, gan roi CC Casnewydd ar flaen y gad yn y maes hwnnw.  Bu eu gwaith yn datblygu criced i ferched yn hynod o glodwiw hefyd.

O ganlyniad mae’r Clwb wedi cael y llwyddiant canlynol:

•             Pencampwyr Cenedlaethol D13 Clybiau’r ECB 2005 a 2010

•             Ail Safle Pencampwriaeth Genedlaethol D15 Clybiau’r ECB 2007

•             Pencampwyr Cenedlaethol Prif Gynghrair yr ECB 2013

•             Enillwyr Lady Taverners yr ECB D13 (DU) 2013 a 2014 ac Ail Safle 2011

•             Enillwyr Lady Taverners yr ECB D15 (DU) 2014 ac Ail Safle 2013

•             Safle hyfforddi Sri Lanka ar gyfer Tlws yr ICC 2013  yn sgil ansawdd uchel lleiniau’r clwb a’i ardal hyfforddi  pedair rhan, addas at bob tywydd.

Ar hyn o bryd mae rolau Mike a Dave o fewn y clwb yn cynnwys:  hyfforddi (pennaeth a chynorthwyydd), gweinyddiaeth iau, gofalu am y lleiniau, rhedeg y wefan, casglu nawdd, codi arian, gwerthu dillad a rheoli prosiectau.

Derek Rees, Dyfnant, Abertawe (Cyflawniad Oes)

Ar ôl rhoi’r gorau i chwarae gyda Chlwb Criced y Mwmbwls, dechreuodd Derek ddyfarnu gyda Chymdeithas Criced De Cymru.  Yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw bu’n aelod gweithgar o’r Gymdeithas Dyfarnwyr a Sgorwyr Criced gynt, cyn mynd yn ei flaen i wneud cyfraniad pwysig gyda Chymdeithas Swyddogion Criced (ACO) yr ECB fel Hyfforddwr Lleol.

Pan grëwyd Prif Gynghrair De Cymru roedd Derek yn aelod o’r panel dyfarnu cyntaf.

Dros nifer fawr o flynyddoedd mae Derek wedi bod yn diwtor/hyfforddwr gweithgar gyda Chymdeithas Swyddogion Criced (ACO) Llanelli a’r Fro, a daeth yn gadeirydd yn dilyn marwolaeth ei gyfaill agos a’i gydweithiwr, Ken James.

Yn fwy diweddar mae Derek wedi ymgymryd â rôl swyddog perfformiad sirol canghennau De Orllewin Cymru o’r ACO (Llanelli ac Abertawe).

Mae Derek, sy’n agosáu at ganol ei saithdegau, yn parhau i ddyfarnu, a gwelwyd ei awydd brwd i wneud hynny unwaith eto’n gynharach y tymor hwn pan gafodd driniaeth laser i’w lygad, ac yna dychwelyd i ddyfarnu o fewn wythnos.

Maurice Leyland, Penfro (Cyflawniad Oes)

Mae Maurice wedi bod yn aelod o Glwb Criced Doc Penfro am 50 mlynedd, ers ei fod yn ddeunaw oed.  Dechreuodd wirfoddoli drwy helpu i glirio’r tir ar gyfer adeiladu ty’r clwb, ac aeth yn ei flaen i ddod yn gapten ar y tîm a enillodd Cwpan Alec Colley yn 1971.

Bu Maurice yn drysorydd y clwb ers 1969, ac ers iddo ddod yn dirmon, mae wedi creu llain ac allfaes o ansawdd uchel, a ddefnyddir i gynnal nifer o gemau sirol hyn ac iau.

Yn 1977 sefydlodd dwrnamaint tafarndai chwech-bob-ochr, sydd wedi’i gynnal bob blwyddyn ers hynny, ac wedi codi dros £20,000.

Mae Maurice bob amser wedi gweithio’n agos gydag  ysgolion lleol, gan farcio’r lleiniau ar gyfer twrnameintiau KwikCricket a rownderi.  Pan fydd clybiau eraill wedi methu â pharatoi llain neu faes, bydd y swyddog datblygu criced yn ffonio Maurice ar fyr rybudd ac mae bob amser yn barod i helpu.

Mae’r holl enillwyr yn mynd ymlaen i gynrychioli Criced Cymru yn OSCAs Bwrdd Criced Cymru a Lloegr (ECB) yn Lord's ar 12 Hydref.