Bingham Pick Up Top Club Award

Bingham Cricket Club have been named Rushcliffe 'Sports Club of the Year 2011' .

The award was presented to chairman, Steve Bateman, at the presentation evening at the Rushcliffe Arena.

The club was cited for its excellent work in junior development and the on-field success of the 2010 season, which included promotions for its Saturday and Sunday 1st XIs.

"This is recognition of a huge amount of work behind the scenes, on and off the field," said Bateman.

"We're proud to be one of a number of strong clubs in Rushcliffe and are very pleased to be chosen above so many worthy nominees.

Bateman had a special word of thanks for two players no longer with the club – Australian players Paul Alexopoulos and Ben Legge.

"They came over here under their own steam and put hours of time in to the club at no cost, helping juniors develop and giving advice and support to us," he said.

Alexopoulos is now a vice-president of the club in recognition of the time he donated to Bingham and the team now has a sister club in Australia, North Tamworth CC, where one of Bingham's own players spent the last winter developing his own game.

Bateman added: "It is opportunities such as these that helped us win the award and we are determined to ensure that we carry on offering such chances to our players and those wishing to join the club."