Notts Women Pick Up Top Cricket Award

Nottingham's Trish Brown and Karen Shead have received a special award in recognition of their commitment to cricket as part of the annual NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards (OSCAs).

The awards ceremony was held at the home of cricket, Lord's, with special guests including NatWest Cricket Club captain Michael Vaughan, current England internationals James Anderson and Matt Prior, former England Women's player Claire Taylor, and BBC Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew.

Brown and Shead, who are members of Notts and Arnold Amateurs Cricket Club said: "We are obviously delighted to have won the award; it was an honour just to have been shortlisted and we have enjoyed a memorable day at Lord's.

"We've been able to meet some of our cricketing heroes and swap stories with the other volunteers whose hard work is helping the grassroots of the game."

As dedicated volunteers at Notts and Arnold Amateurs Cricket Club, the pair are committed to improving the facilities and ground at Goosedale.

Enlisting help from supermarkets, local businesses and volunteers for the NatWest CricketForce weekend, Brown and Shead have created a legacy which will ensure a future commitment to the improvement of the club's facilities and ground.

They joined 350 specially invited guests and VIPs from the cricketing world to celebrate the achievements and roles of volunteers involved in all aspects of the game.

Former England skipper Mike Gatting, managing director of Cricket Partnerships, ECB, said: "Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring that our grass-roots game can continue to flourish and these awards are a fantastic way of recognising their contribution.

"It's thanks to their tireless work and self-sacrifice that pitches get prepared, pavilions maintained and cricket teas made. Congratulations to all the winners – you are the unsung heroes of our game and your awards are richly deserved."

For more local news and sport visit The Nottingham Post.