Honours for Otago as Bracewell, Jones and girls’ programme recognised

THE oneday final is on Saturday but the Otago Cricket Association is already a winner.

It collected the ‘‘best female engagement strategy’’ for its Girls Smash programme in the New Zealand Cricket Community Cricket Awards, while performance and talent identification coach Mark Bracewell and Otago Country stalwart Malcolm Jones were also acknowledged for the hard graft they have put in during many years of service.

The awards are a thank you to volunteers and development staff for their effort and commitment in improving the game within their community, Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan said.

‘‘Everyone involved in our community programme can be proud of [the Girls Smash] programme and it starts with Will Deerness, who is manager of that department,’’ Coggan said.

The programme has been running for two years and has been so successful the name has been picked up by NZC and ‘‘rolled out nationally’’.

There are 700 girls across the region involved in the Girls Smash, which includes a skill component as well as competitive matches.

Coggan said the awards for Bracewell and Jones were thoroughly deserved. Both men had put a tremendous amount of energy into the sport.

Bracewell claimed the outstanding contribution to coaching award. He joined the Otago Cricket Association in 2007 and has been quietly working away in the background to build depth and equip the next generation with the skills to succeed at the next level.

His labours have been rewarded this season with some of the younger players he has worked with over the years starting to shine at the next level.

‘‘Nathan Smith is a great case in point,’’ Coggan said.

‘‘Mark used to spend time with Nathan when he was 1617, driving himself to Oamaru and doing oneonone work with Nathan.

‘‘He can take a lot of credit for what has gone on and not just in the boys’ environment, but also what is happening with the young Sparks players coming through now.

‘‘A lot of those girls like Eden Carson, Olivia Gain and Emma Black, he has worked with during winters at the Edgar Centre.

‘‘He puts in enormous hours and is just willing to help kids develop. He is quite outstanding in that regard.’’

Jones was named volunteer of the year.

He has worn many caps during the years. He has been the Otago scorer since the early 1980s, he is chairman of the Otago Country Cricket Association, he is on the executive of the Otago Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association and is a passionate advocate of Molyneux Park.

‘‘Malcolm stands out as one of those very few who have been around for 30 or 40 years. And not just scoring, but administering Otago Country Cricket.

‘‘He drives to their meetings from Mosgiel and goes out of his way to support the young staff. And he is fully engaged in the partnership between Otago Cricket and Otago Country.

‘‘He is fully deserving of the award.’’

The other awards went to Burnside West Cricket Club (Canterbury), which was named club of the year; Wellington’s Cheryl Styles was the official of the year; and Rebecca Yee (Bay of Plenty Cricket) was named development officer of the year.

Kevin Scanlon (Buller Cricket Association) was acknowledged for his outstanding contribution to the sport.