Association of Cricket Officials Issue 27 | Page 12
NatWest Outstanding Service
to Cricket Award (OSCA)
On 4th October, three ECB ACO members were presented
with a 2016 NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Award
(OSCA). The presentation was made at a prestigious event at
Lord’s, attended by 400 guests from cricket clubs all over the
country. The NatWest OSCAs were created in 2003 to reward
cricket’s unsung heroes and recognise the efforts of
volunteers at club level.
The NatWest OSCA for Services to Officiating was awarded
to John Bates of Warwickshire for his achievements and
continued work on and off the pitch. Steve Wood (Yorkshire)
and Jack McGurk (Durham) were both more than worthy
runners-up.
Our congratulations go to everyone nominated for their local
awards. Perhaps you know someone who you can nominate
for next year’s OSCAs?
Jack McGurk, Durham
Cricket Board Association
of Cricket Officials
Jack has provided over 25 years
of distinguished service to
umpiring. He became the first
elected chairman of the DCB ACO
with eight years of service before
stepping down in March 2016. A
skilled tutor, assessor and mentor,
Jack is held in high esteem due to
his ability to connect on the field
with players and captains. His
school and college engagement work has raised the profile of
umpiring and scoring countywide. Now retired from umpiring
after illness, Jack has qualified as a scorer and his s ervice to
the game continues as Durham CCC Academy Scorer.
John Bates, Warwickshire
County Association of
Cricket Officials
John Bates has been a major
contributor to cricket in
Warwickshire for over 60 years.
John has always been keen to
develop players and officials and
has led ECB ACO training courses
for new and developing umpires
for many years, and is always
ready to support training
activities. Umpiring many games
a season in the Warwickshire Cricket League, ECB and WCB
age groups, ladies cricket and for Midlands public schools,
John will always make himself available when the need arises.
Over and above all of this, John is also the Training Officer
for the Warwickshire Cricket League and the County
Performance Officer for Warwickshire County ACO.
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Steven Wood, Yorkshire
Cricket Board Association
of Cricket Officials
Steven has given many years’
service to the administration of
cricket officials both at county
and national level. Since the
inception of the Yorkshire Cricket
Board ACO, he has been
Secretary and Membership
Services Officer. With
membership now approaching
1000 members, Steven is kept
busy looking after the interests of all Yorkshire ACO members.
Along with a small taskforce he is constantly looking at ways
of recruiting new umpires and scorers, as well as retaining
those currently officiating. Steven also still finds time to
umpire on a regular basis in the Airedale and Wharfedale
Cricket League.
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