2009 Theale and Tilehurst Youth Awards

Report by Brian

Despite there still being some cricket to be played Friday 14th August saw the Youth Presentation evening in the Lamb Public House. Following on from the u11 and u13 "Parent vs Youth" match, in which Trudie Sweeney was very much the star, and the u15 game versus Purley a good crowd met in the Lamb for a race night and the youth presentation evening.

There were three awards for each age group; batting and bowling awards based on averages to the end of the league season and the player's player of the year award voted for by the players based on whatever criteria they wished. The winners of these awards can be seen below.

The final award of the evening was a new award. Most club members will know Chris and Joyce Manning and should know about all the support they have and continue to give to the cricket club in many ways.

Many will also be aware that in February of this year their son, James, died at the age of 18. Having been born 15 weeks prematurely James had to battle all through his life against cerebral palsy and Chris and Joyce have donated this award in his memory. The purpose of the award is not to try and identify the best player but to reward the person who has demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment this season that James demonstrated in his life.

When I started talking to the people who are sighted across all the youth teams about who should receive this award I explained the intention of the award and when I finished they replied: well, if that’s the criteria it has to be.... And the same name kept coming back.

The winner is someone who never misses a practice session let alone a match; he seems to have an unlimited desire for the game of cricket and for Theale and Tilehurst Cricket Club in particular. He has helped at practice sessions for younger age groups and helped in umpiring their matches.

The very deserving winner of the inaugural James Manning Youth Club Person of the Year Award was James White.

u11s:
Batting: Aaron Randall
Bowling: Aaron Randall
Player's Player of the Year: Tom Wheeler

u13s:
Batting: James Bozarth
Bowling: Josh Biesly
Player's Player of the Year: James Bozarth

u15s A:
Batting: James Bozarth
Bowling: James Bozarth
Player's Player of the Year: James White

u15s B:
Batting: Harry Osborn
Bowling: Harry Osborn
Player's Player of the Year: Charlie Cooke

James Manning Award for Youth Club Person of the Year: James White