Europe take top awards

European countries covered themselves in glory at the 2007 ICC development program annual awards as Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands all collected top prizes.

Deutscher Cricket Bund (DCB) was awarded the best women’s cricket initiative prize for its Under-17 women’s tournament in Oldenburg, Germany.

Jos Heggelman of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond (KNCB) won the volunteer of the year award for his outstanding contribution to the game in the Netherlands while John Wright from Ireland won a lifetime service award for his dedicated service to cricket development.

Richard Holdsworth, ICC European development manager, said: “Europe has two outstanding individual volunteers in Jos Heggelman and John Wright, both of whom have contributed an enormous amount to cricket in the Netherlands and Ireland respectively.

“Both are fully deserving of their global awards, and a great example to many others involved in the development of cricket.

“We look forward to presenting them with their awards at the first npower Test match of the summer at Lord’s.”

“Germany has been developing the women's game for several years now, and through their women's development officer Wraye Wenigmann, organised an excellent Under-17 women's tournament in Oldenburg which rightly won the Best women's cricket initiative.

Ray Mali © Getty Images

Buy this photo

“The growth of the women's game is one of our key objectives, and the model which Germany has established is an excellent example.”

Wright, who was honorary secretary of the Irish Cricket Union for ten years until stepping down this year, said: “I am extremely delighted to receive this award. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in cricket and I must admit that it is very pleasing to be acknowledged and honoured for your services.

"It has been a privilege to be part of the ICC Development Program and I wish it best of luck in the future.”

Elsewhere, associate member Bermuda picked up two prizes making it the big winner of this year’s competition.

ICC President Ray Mali, who served as one of the four global judges alongside Ehsan Mani (former ICC president), Malcolm Gray (former ICC president) and Keith Bradshaw (MCC chief executive and secretary), said: “This whole process has shown once again the outstanding work being done in the development of cricket around the world.

“It was immensely difficult to select the winners but those lucky enough to be chosen reflect the contributions they have made to our wonderful worldwide sport.

“Everyone involved, winners and those not chosen, deserve immense credit for their efforts.”

The Global winners:

Best Overall Cricket Development Program – Bermuda Cricket Board

Best Women's Cricket Initiative – Oldenburg Under-17 Women’s Tournament (Germany)

Best Junior Cricket Initiative – Tetrapak Under-19 Development program (Indonesia)

Best Cricket Promotional and Marketing Award – Hong Kong Cricket Sixes (Hong Kong)

Best Spirit of Cricket Award in Partnership with UNAIDS – National Commission for School Cricket (Mozambique)

Photo of the Year Award – “It’s a Catch” (Bermuda)

Volunteer of the Year – Jos Heggelman (The Netherlands)

Lifetime Service Award – John Wright (Ireland) and Laurie Pieters (Namibia)