Qld Volunteers Celebrated On National Stage

Coinciding with National Volunteer Week, the annual awards celebrate excellence in 15 categories, highlighting individuals, clubs, and associations that have made a positive impact in their communities.

Now in its 10th year, the National Community Cricket Awards recognises leaders and outstanding initiatives in volunteering, club administration, officiating, participation diversity and inclusion, and program development.

In all Queensland had four major winners and a shared win, as well as two highly commended awards, across the national categories.

Celebrating its 50th year, Cleveland-Thornlands Cricket Club was successful in receiving the Junior Initiative award for its Trebles competition that was run at its home ground at Henry Ziegenfusz Park at Cleveland.

The Trebles cricket competition was held in December, with nine teams from across the Redlands Cricket community and 72 junior participants involved.

Trebles cricket is designed as a carnival for young, developing players—especially Woolworths Cricket Blast graduates—to provide a gentle, fun, inclusive introduction to junior cricket, with a particular focus on girls and mixed gender participation.

In a little under a decade, the Lakes Knights Cricket Club at North Lakes in Brisbane has grown rapidly to fulfil a major requirement as a commnunity sports club in a high growth area and was announced as the winner of the Toyota Community Cricket Club.

It has grown from 100 participants to over 500 participants in jthat time, offering summer and winter cricket programs and playing opportunities and demonstrating a thriving community engagement.

The club recently merged with Burpengary CC to create a stronger, united regional cricket hub, increasing teams, coaches, and development opportunities for all junior players.

Cricket Australia noted in the submission that the club demonstrates sustainable growth, strong governance, community spirit, and a commitment to inclusive participation.

Cricket Gold Coast was recognised with the conferral of the Award for Women and Girls' Initiative that revolved around the creation and growth of the Gold Coast Women’s Cricket Competition, a community focussed competition that has a strong family and social aspect.

Formed three years ago with six teams across three clubs, the competition has expanded to 20 teams from 11 clubs, with 248 women aged 14–60 playing last season.

The competition has displayed strong family and community values along the way, with eight mother–daughter duos or trios and 10 sibling groups playing together.

It has also supported several players to progress into Premier Cricket and delivered memorable moments such as 30 women taking part in an Ashes Day 4 on‑field experience at the Gabba.

Now supported by a Women’s Sub‑Committee of Cricket Gold Coast Association, the competition’s rapid growth, welcoming culture, and clear development pathways made it a standout contributor to women’s cricket in Queensland.

QUEENSLAND WINNERS

• Celebrating Cricket in Schools – Marc Hughes, Moreton Bay College
• Toyota Community Cricket Club – The Lakes Knights Cricket Club
• Junior Initiative – Cleveland Thornlands Cricket Club
• Women & Girls Initiative – Cricket Gold Coast Ltd
• Community Facility Project of the Year: (shared) Yelarbon Cricket Club (Yelarbon State School), QLD

HIGHLY COMMENDED

• Community Match Official – Christina D’Amato, Mackay Cricket Association Inc.
• Cricket Blast Coordinator – Cameron Francis, Surfers Paradise Cricket Club

Main photo, Cleveland-Thornlands CC: Simon Collier-Baker (volunteer); Michael Macartney (Vice President/Registrar); Aaron Gale (President); Anthony Burrows (volunteer).