This time of year is special – but in a “work sense” being able to acknowledge, listen and learn about the unsung heroes that make sport at a grassroots level possible…..honestly, it’s uplifting. It’s inspirational – and it’s emotional!
From 87 year old Anne Burdette and 79 year old Mary Lowe, who’ve been being providing cricket teas in Sheffield for 60 years! To Mick Hornsby, who’s been playing for, umpiring, supporting and maintaining the ground at Eastrington CC for nearly 80 years! The disability cricket teams in Yorkshire, who continue to break new ground, attaining success – both on and off the field, supported unwaveringly by Owen Jervis. The joy, the support, the appreciation….not just for our award winners on the night, but for everyone involved. THIS is what sport is all about!
I’ve been fortunate to host the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation Cricket Collective Awards and the YCF Disabled Cricket Awards for the past 4 years. This year, they are the final two events in my 2025 hosting calendar. They provide a platform to highlight outstanding contributions from individuals who crave no attention or demand any award. They give us an opportunity to shine a light on the emerging talent in the region and acknowledge success, at all levels of the game.
Across the two evenings at Headingley Stadium, it was fantastic to see the support shown by Yorkshire County Cricket Club. We were joined by President Dr Jane Powell and players – James Wharton, George Hill, Grace Hall and Bethany Langston, who presented the winners with their trophies and shared their own experiences of playing at their local clubs and talked about the foundation that was laid for their careers.
Special thanks to Donna Staniland and Keeley Baptista for their hard work and organisation, ensuring both nights ran seamlessly. These occasions are a pure pleasure to host!
For future availability or event hosting enquiries please contact me via the website: www.rdgmedia.uk
#liveevents #award #recognition #teamwork #eventhost #sport #cricket #yorkshire #grassroots #disabilitysport #presenter #host #support #celebration #success #talent #ycf #freelance #professional #media
