Cricket mad Jock scoops an OSCA

A Devon cricket enthusiast who has spent 38 years as a player and administrator with Thorverton Cricket Club has been recognised on a national scale by winning an OSCA (Outstanding Service to Cricket Award) in the category of ‘Heartbeat of the Club’.

John (Jock) Spry joined the club on leaving school at 16 years old and since then he has captained the 1st and 2nd XIs, is chairman of the youth section, youth coach, youth team manager, and helps out with work on the ground. He has never played for another club and is now heavily involved in a project to build a new pavilion for the club.

The aim of the NatWest sponsored OSCAs is to reward the contribution that volunteers make to the game. Established in 2003, the OSCAs form part of the ECB’s volunteering programme, which gives cricket clubs advice on educating, recruiting and rewarding volunteers.

The 54 year-old, who is a Regional Operations Manager for Gregory Distribution at North Tawton, picked up his award from actor and Chairman of Hampstead Cricket Club, Jim Carter who plays the indomitable Mr Carson in Downton Abbey. The ceremony at Lords Cricket Ground on October 12 was hosted by Test Match Special’s Jonathan Agnew with other awards presented by leading cricket personalities Andrew Strauss, Eoin Morgan, Charlotte Edwards and Mike Gatting.

John Spry said: “Just to make the shortlist was a massive surprise and I didn’t expect to be the overall winner. I consider myself to have won the award on behalf of all the people who work so hard at the clubs to make them a success.”

Speaking of Thorverton’s new pavilion project, he was typically enthusiastic saying: “Plans have been drawn up, the planning authorities appear to be keen, now we have all the hoops to jump through to raise the money and make it happen.”