WA Cricket Congratulates Community Cricket Award Winners for 2023-24

The final nominees were honoured at a ceremony at the WACA Ground overnight where the work of thousands of grassroots cricket volunteers across Western Australia was acknowledged.

Awards were presented across 16 categories, covering metropolitan and country clubs and associations. 

Through the WA Cricket Foundation, WA Cricket plays a leading role in providing meaningful opportunities for all Western Australians to play the game and reach their full potential. 

Female Metropolitan Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Kirsten Piccinini from Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club, for her tireless devotion to the club’s junior cricket and Star Blast programs.

Clubs and Individuals from Regional WA were also celebrated, with Kojonup Cricket Club taking out the Country Club of the Year award while Stacey Johnston (Port Hedland Cricket Association) and Ryan Kinnear (Albany & Districts Cricket Association) were highlighted for their outstanding contributions to Country Cricket.

For his long-standing excellence in umpiring in the Peel region. Trevor Krink from Peel Junior and Senior Cricket Associations was crowned Community Match Official of the Year.

A well-respected and approachable professional, Trevor has acted as the Umpire Coordinator for several years and is seen as a mentor to the next generation of match officials coming through the ranks. 

The Senior Metropolitan Club of the Year went to White Knights Baldivis Cricket Club, who also took home the Growing Cricket for Women and Girls Award, as they continue to be a leader in the ascension of Female Cricket.

The Club’s Female Cricket program continues to go from strength to strength, with 78 girls currently registered across seven teams.

Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club were named winners of the ‘Inclusion and Diversity’ award, with the club allowing the opportunity for players of all ages, genders, and abilities to play the game of cricket.

They are one of the leading clubs in the Belt Up Integrated Cricket League, with over 20 registered participants, including several graduates from their junior Star Blasters program continuing their cricketing journey into the ICL this summer.

Coolbinia West Perth Junior Cricket Club was a well-deserved recipient of the Junior Metropolitan Community Cricket Club of the Year Award, as a club which prides itself on guiding all members to demonstrate the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and show respect to the game, opposition, surrounding clubs, and the association.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. 

WA Cricket would also like to thank its partners, Think Mental Health, Healthway, Belt Up, the Insurance Commission, Toyota, ENIQ, Murdoch University, Kookaburra, SKG, New Balance, PEP Transport, Lord’s Taverners WA, the Autism Association of Western Australia, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and Lotterywest. 

2023-24 Community Cricket Award Winners

Metro Volunteer of the Year – Male: Michael Hansen from Ballajura- Landsdale Cricket Club

Metro Volunteer of the Year – Female: Kirsten Piccinini from Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club

Country Volunteer of the Year – Male: Ryan Kinnear from Albany & Districts Cricket Association

Country Volunteer of the Year – Female: Stacey Johnston from Port Hedland Cricket Association

Young Volunteer of the Year: Ava Danholt from Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club

Junior Community Cricket Coach of the Year: David Turnbull from Jandakot Lakes Junior Cricket Club

Woolworths Cricket Blast Coordinator of the Year: Matthew Braid from Busselton Margaret River Junior Cricket Club

Community Match Official of the Year: Trevor Krink from Peel Junior and Senior Cricket Association

School Ambassador of the Year: Rhys Brooks from Manjimup Primary School & Pemberton District High School

Growing Cricket for Women and Girls Award: White Knights Baldivis Cricket Club

Inclusion and Diversity Award: Wembley Districts Junior Cricket Club

Community Partnership of the Year: Armadale Cricket Club 

Junior Metropolitan Community Cricket Club of the Year, the Len Pavy Award: Coolbinia West Perth Junior Cricket Club 

Senior Metropolitan Community Cricket Club of the Year: White Knights Baldivis Cricket Club 

Country Cricket Club of the Year: Kojonup Cricket Club 

Technology and Media Initiative of the Year: Warwick Greenwood Cricket Club

Comments attributable to Jo Davies - WA Cricket General Manager, Community Cricket:  

“The WA Community Cricket Awards are all about acknowledging and celebrating the heartbeat of the cricket community. 

“Volunteers play a key role in our great game, taking on roles ranging from coaching kids, keeping score and umpiring, running the canteen, keeping the finances in check or leading clubs.

“Without the hard work and commitment of our amazing volunteers, our sport would not be what it is today.

“The Awards highlight the countless people in community cricket who inspire others through their actions and celebrate the achievements of our community clubs, associations, and volunteers who do so much to make cricket fun, safe, welcoming, and inclusive.”