On Saturday 17th September 2022 we took great pleasure in welcoming our players, parents and guardians, family members, coaches, workforce and guests to the 2022 Pathway Awards Ceremony held at the spectacular Wormsley Estate. 

The pathway awards ceremony is an important part of our annual pathway programme in which we unite together to recognise, reward and celebrate the success of the year, and to draw closure on another memorable season. There are few occasions where our players have the chance to enjoy sharing in each other’s achievements, whilst standing shoulder to shoulder with their peers from across all ages, and stages of the pathway. 

Before presenting the awards we expressed our gratitude to the players, parents, guardians and family members, coaches and workforce, clubs, schools and the wider cricketing community for their contribution to a successful and memorable year. We were delighted to have over 350 people in attendance at the ceremony in which we recognised, and rewarded the performances and achievements of individuals and teams by presenting the following awards;

1. Individual Performance
2. Batter of the Year
3. Bowler of the Year
4. Players’ Player
5. Player of Year
6. Team Recognition
7. Disability Award
8. Phil Garner Award
9. Felix Byam Shaw Award

Individual Performance

Introduced in 2018, the performance awards recognise successful individual performance and were awarded to players for their performances within the final squads in 2022. Within the Foundation Pathway (Under 13’s and below), individual performance awards were presented to players who scored fifty or more, or who took more than four wickets in an innings. Within the Talent Pathway (Under 14s and above), individual performance awards were presented to players who scored a hundred or more, or who took more than five wickets in an innings. The individual performance awards were presented by Performance Director, Matthew Barnes to the following players in 2022;

Batter of the Year

Introduced in 2021, the batter of the year award was presented to the leading run scorer from across the Age Group and/or, a player who has made match winning or game influencing performances and/or a player who has statistically performed above, or significantly above their peers relative to the number of games they have played. The Batter of the Year awards were presented by Foundation Pathway Manager, Sam Arthurs to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2022; 

Bowler of the Year

Introduced in 2021, the bowler of the year award was presented to the leading wicket taker from across the Age Group and/or, a player who has made match winning or game influencing performances and/or a player who has statistically performed above, or significantly above their peers relative to the number of games they have played. The Bowler of the Year awards were presented by Foundation Pathway Manager, Sam Arthurs to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2022; 

Players’ Player

Introduced for the first time in 2018, the players’ player of the year award is presented to the player who, as voted by their peers, is deemed as the most deserving for their performances or contributions on or off the field. This award may be presented to the player who has scored runs or taken wickets, an individual who has contributed to the team, or a teammate who players’ enjoyed playing with throughout this season. The Players’ Player of the Year awards were presented by Talent Pathway Manager, Marcus Campopiano to the following players who were deserving recipients as recognised by their peers;

Player of the Year

A long standing award which is accompanied by the presentation of an annual shield of prior winners that players can keep for 12 months. The Player of the Year award is presented to the outstanding performer from the age group and/or, a player whose performances have been above or significantly above their peer group and/or, the most impactful player or an individual who has contributed across multiple disciplines with the bat, ball, in the field or in a leadership capacity. The Player of the Year awards were presented by Talent Pathway Manager, Marcus Campopiano to the following players who were deserving recipients in 2022; 

Team Recognition

The following team performances received recognition and applause from the audience to celebrate their achievements in 2022.

Disability Award

Presented for the first time in 2018, the award recognises an individual for their performances and contribution to the disability cricket programme and/or an individual’s connection with, and support of their peers. This year the disability award was accompanied by the addition of an annual cup that recipients will keep for 12 months. The Disability Award was presented by Head of Disability Cricket, Richard Giles to the deserving recipient in 2022; 

Phil Garner

The Phil Garner Award is presented on occasions where there are deserving winners for excellence and for placing Oxfordshire on the national stage. The prestigious award was not presented at the pathway awards ceremony in 2022. 

The Felix Byam Shaw Award

This award is presented in memory of Felix Byam Shaw who tragically passed away from meningitis whilst on holiday in France in 2014. Felix was the Oxfordshire Under 14’s captain at the time of his passing, and his death shocked, and saddened Oxfordshire Cricket.

In his memory, the Felix Byam Shaw Award was formed with the family donating a magnificent trophy to be awarded annually to a player nominated from the pathway, who displayed similar traits to Felix. The Felix Byam Shaw Award recognises selflessness and the desire to succeed or to help others to succeed and is presented to a player from within the pathway. The annual presentation of the award remembers Felix, with the trophy honouring his legacy and keeping him as a part of the Oxfordshire cricket family, despite his tragic passing.

The Felix Byam Shaw Award was presented by Kieren Bushnell, Neil Pickup and Jane Byam Shaw. Six players were nominated for the award with citations read by Neil Pickup and Kieren Bushnell and each receiving a certificate. The deserving winner in 2022 was presented the trophy by Jane Byam Shaw.

On behalf of everyone at Oxfordshire Cricket we thank everyone who attended the pathway award ceremony and once again congratulate all of the deserving award winners for 2022.

Matthew Barnes

Performance Director