Roulston wins an OSCA for voluntary work
James Roulston from Merstham Cricket Club has won young volunteer of the year in the Surrey OSCAs – Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards.
The 8th annual awards were presented at a lunch during Surrey’s victory over Worcestershire in their Royal London One Day Cup match on Tuesday.
James, 23, is a member of the Magics – the club’s disability cricket squad – and has been helping Bernard Feist and Bob McGillivray with groundsman duties for about five years.
Bernard said: “He comes up every week and helps. He prepares the grass car park and the wickets for the school games we have at the club and helps prepare the ground for the Mencap football team and encourages those players to come and play cricket.
“He was over the moon to win the award and it was a real pleasure to see.”
James, who attends East Surrey College, is an active member of the Mencap football activities which also take place at the ground. He has had speech and learning difficulties since birth, has always been interested in sport and his speciality on the cricket field is spin bowling.
James, a keen Surrey supporter, received his award from former Surrey player Martin Bicknell and West Indies fast bowler Tino La Bertram Best, in an awards whose main sponsors were Lashings, the touring team of former professional cricketers who raise money for charity.
Having won the Surrey OSCA, James will now be put forward from the county for the national awards.
Former club chairman Bernard Feist was shortlisted for the Heartbeat Of the Club award, while his son Richard, the club captain, was nominated for the Getting the Game On award.
Merstham's disability squad 'The Magics' train every Wednesday at Quality Street