The growth of the women and girls' game in Devon has been phenomenal in the last few years and this is fundamentally a thank you to the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers that make the game happen at clubs around the county.

Whether you are a coach, manager or official, everybody's contribution is vital and the Women and Girls' Celebration Event on Finals Day at Budleigh Salterton CC was a chance to say thank you to all those nominated.

It was fantastic to have the support of Niamh Holland at the event, Western Storm player and part of the London Spirit squad who won The Hundred this season.

Club Coach/Manager

This award is for a coach or manager who has had a significant impact on growing the women and girls' game at club level. They have grown the game and provided opportunities for women and girls to get involved in cricket.

Runners Up: Liz Burgess (Budleigh Salterton CC), Nathan Wells (Clyst St George CC), Andrew Pulman (Upottery CC) and Belinda Crowhurst (Ivybridge CC)

Winners: The Tavistock CC Coaching and Management Team (Steve Cox, Kate Manning, Sarah Field, Ellie Edleman)

The fact that the team at Tavistock CC were all nominated shows the impact that they have had at the club. In 2023 they started to build the women and girls' game and entered a girls' team into the end-of-season Colour Me Cricket event. By 2024, the club had a women's softball team in the league and an Under 11 and Under 13 girls' team. Applying for funding for kit and indoor training over the winter, Steve encouraged the female coaches to run the sessions and help with the team.

Steve comments: "Both Sarah and Ellie have been the driving force behind the growth of the girls’ team, creating safe environments for the girls to grow in confidence."

Kate has worked tirelessly to build the women’s softball team, developing relationships with other clubs to share coaching and develop skills, as well as find clubs to play friendlies and build game experience. "Her contribution to the game has been immeasurable!"

"Steve has worked so hard with the club and the local school to build the girls' section," says his nominee, "he has made the most of all playing opportunities open to the girls and it has been a pleasure to see the teamwork so well together."

Inspirational Young Female Volunteer (under 16 years)

Runners up: Milllie Diamond (Heathcoat CC)

Winners: Lucy and Isla Dixon (Budleigh Salterton CC)

Lucy and Isla have ‘exuded energy and enthusiasm’ when it comes to their cricket and their cricket club. Not only have they been proactive in building the number of girls playing at their club by standing up in assembly and talking about their positive experiences of cricket, but they have also contributed to the development of the new clubhouse. Busking, making cakes and spreading cricket joy, the girls ‘are a fantastic role model for girls' cricket!’

Inspirational Young Female Volunteer (17-25)

Runners Up: Hollie Perkin (Brixham CC), Keziah Black (Brixham CC) and Imogen Oldfield (Seaton CC)

Winner: Abigail Hyde (Heathcoat CC)

"Abby is a role model to young female cricketers, an asset to our club and a credit to her parents," writes Heathcoat's Pete Guest, who nominated her.

She has become an essential part of our All Stars delivery and takes on the role of leading sessions as well as developing her coaching skills by attending courses. "She has become a great cricket coach, embraces challenge and energetically leads groups with a smile."

Balancing the Game

Runners Up: Gemma Lancaster (Cornwood CC) and Anne Stone (Bideford CC)

Winner: Corinne Price (Chagford CC)

Corinne is an unstoppable force at Chagford. Her desire to grow the women and girls' game has led her to go above and beyond to make sure that this happens, working tirelessly to find opportunities to play.

"Cricket has grown year on year at Chagford and Corinne has always been at the forefront as manager, girls lead, scorer, event organiser and now bringing a women's cricket team to Chagford," comments Andrew Patterson. "This is a great chance for the wider community to celebrate Corinne’s achievements and successes."

Lead the Way

Winner: Keri Denton (Topsham St James CC)

"Come rain or shine, Keri has been a champion for more women and girls' cricket at Topsham St James. We are so lucky to have her!"

Keri has been involved in the club for over 10 years and has been an active member in encouraging women and girls to play. This year she has thrown herself into making the girls' Dynamos programme work, an area that the club have struggled with and she has been central to the success of the programme and the consequent development of playing opportunities for the girls’ team. Her desire to make it a success ia such that she will continue to train with the girls over winter.

Taking Control

Runner Up: Caroline Thomas (Ipplepen CC), Lynda Edworthy (Ipplepen CC) and Sheila Harding (Topsham St James CC)

Winner: Caroline Creer (Clyst St George CC)

Caroline is the backbone of Clyst St George CC. She is the best example to show that the role of a female in the cricket club can be so much more than just playing. Junior Coordinator, Bar Manager, Bookings Manager, Scorer, Welfare Officer... the list goes on.

"She ensures the club remains a welcoming and thriving community for all" and is an inspiration to all females who may want to join the cricket community but do not want to play.

Metro Bank Champion of Women's Cricket

Jo Watson (Exmouth CC) has been instrumental in developing women and girls' cricket at Exmouth CC, transforming a club with no female players at the club to one that boasts two junior girls' teams, three teams in the Devon Women's Softball League and two women's hardball teams, all in the space of just three seasons.

Thursday night training sessions at Exmouth CC now regularly attract over 40 women and almost 50 girls, all as a result of Jo's work pulling together volunteers, building a strong group of coaches and pushing the club to attract its first-ever female overseas player to provide additional support and a role model to younger players.

YOUNG STORM CHAMPIONS

Outside the awards, we also celebrated the young volunteers who have given up their time to help at their clubs after having completed the Young Storm Champions Leadership Course in May. These young women have given up more than 35 hours of their time this season to umpire games, run sessions and help cricket be successful at their clubs. As a reward, they receive a Western Storm Hoodie.

Amelie Watson, Exmouth CC

Lily Sargent, Chagford CC

Kate Graves, Ivybridge CC

"This is such a fantastic and uplifting way to end the season, celebrating everyone that makes cricket happen in the county," says Devon Cricket Foundation's Women & Girls' Development Officer, Ann-Marie Presswell.

"I can't begin to thank them all enough for the time and effort they put into everything that we offer the girls in terms of playing opportunities and beyond.

"I often get comments about how well the women and girls' game is growing in Devon and what a transformation there has been, which makes me feel very proud. All the volunteers should also take on that pride because they are the backbone of our female cricket community."

The Devon Cricket Foundation would like to thank Budleigh Salterton CC for hosting the event, Niamh Holland and all the volunteers from the Devon Women’s Cricket League for their support during the event.

If you would like to enter the Devon Girls' Cricket League, or you would like support setting up a women and/or girls' section at your club, please contact Ann-Marie Presswell.