NatWest OSCAs

Since 2003, we've been teaming up with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to recognise the contribution volunteers make to the game of cricket at a recreational level.

The result is the annual NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards (OSCAs). They're an important part of the ECB's Volunteers Strategy, which promotes and develops volunteering in cricket, and celebrates the work of those who get involved.

Awards are made in seven categories:

• Young Volunteer Award, for volunteers under the age of 21.
• Leagues and Boards Award, given to someone who is active at local or County age-group levels.
• Another Way Award, for a volunteer who has overcome adversity in the development of the game by thinking 'outside the boundary'.
• Behind the Scenes Award, given to an unsung volunteer – someone his or her club couldn't do without.
• Building Partnerships Award, for a volunteer who has created sustainable partnerships with schools, voluntary organisations, other sports and the local community.
• Lifetime Achiever Award, for an individual who has made an outstanding difference to cricket for a sustained period.
• NatWest CricketForce Award, for the volunteer or a group of volunteers who managed a project to improve their club house or grounds.

At the 2007 awards ceremony at Lord's, ECB chief executive David Collier, said: "Volunteers are the lifeblood of our game – without them, cricket simply would not survive. The OSCAs ceremony is a small way of thanking our army of volunteers, and celebrating with them the massive contribution they make to their communities and to the whole of cricket."

Caroline Carpenter, head of brand strategy for NatWest said: "NatWest recognises the invaluable commitment volunteers make to the development of cricket in the UK. I am so pleased NatWest is part of this event which pays tribute to all the unsung heroes of the game."