2025/26 Distinguished Service Awards presented

Launched last season, the Community Distinguished Service Awards acknowledge volunteers who have provided over 25 years of service to the game at community level. 

The awards recognise the vital role volunteers play in cricket and the community at large, with their dedication to the game inspiring current and future generations to play and love the game. 

Several of this season’s recipients were honoured during a ceremony in the Sydney Cricket Ground’s Steve Waugh Room during Day Four of the Pink Ashes Test, while others took part in the pre-game ceremony as giant flag bearers on Day 1. 

The 21 recipients in 2025-26 follow an initial cohort of 43 volunteers to be bestowed on the award last season. 

^{Kathleen Pink | Charlestown District Cricket Club} 

Martin Gleeson, Cricket NSW Chief Community Cricket Officer, said: 

“We often say that volunteers are the backbone of the game at the local level, and that really is the case. They support players and families across our clubs and associations, and in doing so, they make a genuine social and economic contribution to their communities.” 

“Our volunteers give an enormous amount of time and energy to cricket—often over many years and in all areas of the game, both on and off the field. Their commitment is a major reason the game continues to grow and succeed.”  

“Every NSW player who has gone on to represent Australia—and we’re very proud there are many—started their journey because of volunteers like the ones we recognise through this auspicious award”  

2025-26 Community Distinguished Service Award Recipients: 

Ross Anderson | West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club
Graham Baird | Epping Bulls Cricket Club
Wayne Bradley OAM | Southern Riverina Cricket Council
Clinton Carey | Casino Cricket Club
Andrea Handley | Gymea Bay Cricket Club
Maryann Head | Wollongong District Cricket Club
Michael Hungerford | Castle Hill RSL Cricket Club
Neil Lewis | South Sydney Mount Carmel Junior Cricket Club
Allan Lofthouse | Sutherland Shire Cricket Association
David Mandic | Greystanes Cricket Club
Brian Mathias | Hornsby District Cricket Club
Michael McEntyre OAM | Western Suburbs Cricket Club
Greg Morrissey OAM | Parkes & District Cricket Association
John Oliver | Illawarra Cricket Umpires Association
Kathleen Pink | Charlestown District Cricket Club
Greg Pinnington | Camden Cricket Club
Phil Sherley | Bowral Cricket Club
Stephen Starks | Kingsgrove Cricket Club
Dr Simon Thibault | Waratah-Mayfield District Cricket Club
Daniel Williams | St George District Cricket Association
Lee Wilson | Cowra Junior Cricket Association