Groundsmen given accolade

11 September 2008

Four groundsmen were honoured this week at Lord’s as they each received a 2008 Cricket World & Pitchcare Cricket Groundsman of the Year award.

The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise the hard work and high standards achieved by cricket groundsmen in the recreational game. Prizes are awarded in four categories – ICC Europe, Educational Establishment, Private Club and Local Authority.

Treble the number of nominations was received for this year’s awards compared to last year through Cricket World® magazine and Pitchcare.

The ICC Europe award, which is open to all groundsmen in Europe's non-Test playing nations went to Phillip McCormick of Stormont CC in Ireland. The winner in the Local Authority category was Ian Vautier of Granville Sports Ground in Jersey

The Private Cricket Club award went to Les Stephens of Lytham CC in the North West of England and the winner of the best groundsman in the Education Establishment category was Graeme Flett of Gordonstoun School in Scotland.

The awards were presented by ECB's head pitch advisor Chris Wood and the manager of the ICC European development program Richard Holdsworth, in the presence of sponsors and invited guests.