With the nominations for the 2020 now closed, Oxfordshire Cricket over the next four weeks will be shining a light on all of the nominations that we have received, in order to help recognise them for all of their fantastic work over these unprecedented times.

This week we are shining a light on Dave Freeman, Andy Clarke and Steventon CC.

David Freeman

David Freeman single handedly managed a community program of virtual activities which raised money a range of Charities and his on
club. His Quiz nights attracted large audiences and went on throughout lockdown. He proved himself to be a great entertainer during a period
where spirits needed lifting and people needed a social outlet. Within the first few days of lockdown, Dave set up an online quiz, so people could participate live in an event and feel connected to the local community. This was not only for use of cricket club members, but also
any locals who would benefit from company.

Dave runs general knowledge, music and sports quizzes lasting an hour each time – sometimes as often as four evenings a week but at
least every week, often dressing up and making a fool of himself. Importantly, he has also raised valuable funds used not only for the
cricket club but also to very worthwhile local causes. Money raised has gone towards The Chipping Norton Foodbank, The Royal British
Legion, a local gentleman who suffers from MND and his charity. Great and; Little Tew CC and the Tew Centre (which is used by the local
community) will benefit from the purchase of a defibrillator. Dave is still doing regular quizzes and continuing with fundraising
ideas and is hoping to raise money that can be put towards a guide dog for a local resident.

Steventon CC

Steventon cricket club has not had any junior cricket for a good number of years. The team above have started up a junior section this season from nothing in difficult circumstances. They have run an All Stars cricket session with 23 participants as well as softball and hardball cricket up to under 13’s with 37 participants across the two groups. The numbers achieved were only possible due to the hard work of the team advertising locally, engaging with the village school and the use of social media.

The sessions run on a Friday have led to a lively atmosphere at the club with families coming down in support and the games on Sunday’s have had supporters all around the boundary.

With clubs like Steventon struggling to recruit players directly into the adult section this could be the infrastructure required to keep the club in a healthy position for years to come. Finally it has bought together people from the village who previously had no interaction with the cricket club, exemplified by the fact that only Joe Bennett from the coaching team was an existing player.

Andy Clarke

Andy Clarke put a huge amount of effort and time into working on the club’s dilapidated clubhouse and repairing a heavy wooden sight
screen blown over and damaged. Furloughed by his employer, Andy put many hours working alone because of Covid restrictions at the
ground, all unpaid, to enable us to offer cricket when it restarted. He repaired the sights screen, the roof, the guttering, the verandah, the
terrace, the gents’ sink, amongst other things. Andy is a real club man, not the most able of cricketers (as he would himself admit) but hugely
enthusiastic, always available, never complaining about not batting higher up the order or rarely bowling and is the second name after the
captain on the 2 nd XI team sheet.