Established in 1982, the Sir Jack Newman Award is presented to an outstanding junior cricket administrator for their past and present services to the development of junior cricket in New Zealand. This prestigious award recognises significant contributions at the grassroots level, whether in administration, coaching, or any other field. It is open to junior cricket administrators from major associations, district associations, clubs, or schools.

Judging criteria for the Sir Jack Newman Award:

• Significant contribution to the development of junior cricket within their community over many years.
• Their contribution has had an outstanding positive impact on junior cricketers.
• Upholds NZC values and aligns with community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).

Note: nominations for the Sir Jack Newman Award must be endorsed by your Major Association.

Nomination questions:

1. Please outline the nominee’s commitment to junior cricket in their community.
2. Outline how they go above and beyond as a volunteer and the impact this has on the club/school/association/community.
3. Outline the impact of their contribution on the community.

The Community Cricket Club of the Year award acknowledges a cricket club that has shown an outstanding ability to provide for its members, outstanding contribution to their community and sound governance and financial management.

This award will be open to public nomination as well as nomination by major and district associations.

Judging criteria for Club of the Year includes:

• Evidence of a commitment to creating inclusive and safe environments for people to connect, inspire and achieve together.
• Evidence of alignment with NZC Values and the community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).
• Evidence of good practice and strengths across key governance markers – demonstrated through a Business Plan or Annual Report.

Nomination questions:

1. Provide an overview of the club and why you believe it is deserving of club of the year.
2. Please outline the impact the club has on the wider community.
3. Provide evidence of good practice related to governance and leadership of the club (option to upload documents).

This award recognises a volunteer for their outstanding and significant contribution to community cricket. This volunteer shows passion and commitment to cricket that exceeds expectations and the impact on their community is clear. The Outstanding Volunteer award is open to any club or school volunteer (e.g., board or committee member, club/school stalwart, ground staff, clubrooms volunteer or any other volunteer who puts their time into the club/school).

This award will be open to public nomination as well as nomination by Major and District Associations. Nomination should be supported by a character reference from community members.

Judging criteria for the Outstanding Volunteer Award includes:

• Evidence of commitment to their club/association/school and going above and beyond for their cricket community.
• Evidence of the outstanding impact their contribution has on their community.
• Upholds the Spirit of Cricket, NZC values and aligns with community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).

Nomination questions:

1. Please tell us about the volunteer’s commitment to the club/school/association.
2. Outline how they go above and beyond as a volunteer and the impact this has on the club/school/association/community.
3. Outline the impact of their contribution on the community.

The Community Cricket Official of the Year acknowledges an official who has been responsible for officiating community cricket and has shown outstanding passion and commitment, upholding the spirit of cricket during the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons. The Community Cricket Official of the Year award is open to all club and school umpires and scorers.

This award will be open to public nomination as well as nomination by major and district associations. Nominations should be supported by a local character reference.

Judging criteria for Community Cricket Official of the Year:

• Demonstrates and upholds the Spirit of Cricket.
• Commitment to officiating in their community.
• Fosters officiating in their region.
• Registered member of their local/region Umpires and Scorers Association.

Nomination questions:

1. Outline the nominee’s commitment to umpiring, including how they uphold the spirit of cricket.
2. Outline how they contribute to and/or support the wider umpiring community.

The Community Cricket Outstanding Women and Girls Initiative award acknowledges an association, club, or school for a cricket engagement initiative that drives system change, promotes gender equity within cricket and ensures quality cricket experiences for women and girls. The Community Cricket Outstanding Women and Girls Initiative award is open to major associations, district associations, clubs, and schools.

This award will be open to public nomination as well as nomination by major and district associations.

(Please note that initiatives supported by NZC through the Female Leadership Development Contestable Fund are ineligible for this award).

Judging criteria for Outstanding Women and Girls Initiative:

• Initiative drives positive engagement experiences in cricket on or off the field for women and girls.
• Initiative promotes gender equity within the club/school/association.
• Evidence of a commitment to the sustainability of the initiative.

Nomination questions:

1. Please outline what your initiative is and what its goals, aims or desired outcomes are.
2. Outline how your organisation identified that your initiative was needed.
3. Please explain the impact of your initiative, including if the goals, aims or desired outcomes have been met or exceeded.
4. Outline future plans for the initiative and how you are ensuring it is sustainable.

The Outstanding Contribution and Services to Coaching award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to community coaching across multiple seasons and demonstrated commitment and passion to creating positive experiences for players at the community level.

This award will be open to public nomination as well as nomination by major associations/district associations.

Judging criteria for Outstanding Contribution and Services to Coaching:

• Has had positive impact on the players they coach and/or have coached.
• Demonstrates the Six Domains of Quality Coaching (NZCs Quality Coaching Framework).
• Has shown commitment to coaching over an extended period.
• Upholds NZC values and aligns with community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).
• Minimum NZC Community Cricket Qualified (Police vetting & Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Persons modules).

Nomination questions:

1. Outline the coach’s journey and their impact on players.
2. Demonstrate how they implement the 6 domains of quality coaching.

The Community Cricket Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion award acknowledges an association, club, or school for an innovative initiative that ensures accessible, welcoming, and inclusive cricket experiences for communities that may have previously been overlooked. The initiative has a focus on long-term engagement and is sustainable. The Community Cricket Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion award is open to major associations, district associations, clubs, and schools.

Judging criteria for Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

• Engages under-represented communities and provides significant cricket experiences either on or off the field.
• The initiative is sustainable and has potential to drive system change.
• Upholds NZC values and aligns with community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).

Nomination questions:

1. Outline how your organisation identified a need for your approach.
2. Provide evidence of the initiative(s) taken to foster and promote more inclusive and equitable environment.
3. Please explain how our approach has directly impacted individuals/communities.
4. Outline future plans for the initiative and how you are ensuring it is sustainable.

The Community Cricket Collaboration Initiative of the year award acknowledges an association, club or school for a cricket initiative that has formed community led partnerships, fostered collaboration, and created new opportunities to provide positive outcomes within their cricket community. The Community Cricket Collaboration Initiative of the Year award is open to major associations, district associations, clubs, and schools, who have forged a partnership within or outside of the Cricket Network, strengthening cricket within their community.

Judging criteria for Collaboration Initiative of the Year:

• Establishes and maintains a collaborative partnership that contributes to community cricket.
• Evidence of significant positive impact to community cricket since collaborating.
• The partnership upholds NZC values and aligns with community cricket delivery principles (NDP, Balance is Better, Inclusivity).

Nomination questions:

1. Describe your partnership rationale, approach, objectives and goals.
2. How is the partnership managed and leveraged to ensure benefit to both parties?
3. Outline the tangible and intangible benefits of the collaboration for both the organisations involved.
4. Outline the outcomes and benefits for the community as a result of this collaboration.