A JUNIOR sports volunteer says he is “shocked” after being named one of three unsung cricket heroes for England and Wales this year.
Raby Castle Cricket Club’s Scott Hedley was highly commended in the ECB’s 2022 Grassroots Cricket Awards. There were 11 categories in all.
Although he wasn’t judged to be the overall winner in the unsung hero section, being shortlisted was more than enough for Mr Hedley.
He said: “I’m shocked to come in the top three nationally. I don’t do it for the recognition but it’s nice.”
Mr Hedley, 28, was automatically entered into the awards after winning a Durham Cricket grassroots coach of the year accolade.
The award comes after six years of helping to re-establish the Raby’s junior teams to safeguard the future of the club.
He said: “I was sick of going to committee meetings and hearing we were short of senior players.
“Raby used to have a junior section but it has been stop and start over the years. We conceded a senior game because we couldn’t field a team and that hadn’t happened for years. Alarm bells started ringing.”
He added: “One Saturday we got ten kids up at the club and it has really taken off since them.
“The first year it was just me and then Steve Caygill came to run it together, and lots of other have got involved.”
Last summer, about 100 children took part in the club’s sessions. The club runs under-9s, under-11s, under-13s and under-15s teams, as well as All Stars and Dynamos cricket fun nights.
The under-13s were crowned County Durham champions at the end of the season.
Winter practice sessions have started and average 50 children per session.
As well as being involved in coaching and running teams, Mr Hedley, who lives in Staindrop, promotes the club on social media and helps with fundraising, taking part in the Raby Run to bring in £500 last summer.
The volunteer also delivered school cricket sessions at Ingleton, Butterknowle and Woodland primaries and hopes to expand these to others. Mr Hedley helps with Durham County Cricket Club’s junior training.
He said Raby Castle encourages children from all backgrounds and abilities.
He said: “It’s about fun at the end of the day and to look after the future of the club, which is 130 years old.
“We want it not to be just a cricket club but to be a community club as well. But it’s not just down to me – Steve Caygill, Richard Harker and Matty Dent give up a lot of their time.
“We’ve got new coaches for next year – Richard Eastwood, Chris Bird and Glen Solan. Vince, the second team captain, also comes down to help.”
He added: “Unlike bigger clubs who pay coaches, we rely on volunteers and people giving up their time.”
The club is also eager to set up a girls team. Any children who want to get involved at Raby Castle can contact Steve Caygill on 07708 220426 or Scott Hedley on 07590 537953.
