Business of Cricket Awards reward unsung heroes in Lord’s celebrations

The 2025 Business of Cricket Awards (BOCAs) was staged at Lord’s on Thursday to recognise outstanding off-field achievements across the county network.

This year’s ceremony saw 17 awards presented to counties and individuals – with 11 Professional County Cricket Clubs and Warwickshire Cricket Foundation amongst the winners.

The awards highlight innovation, dedication and impact beyond the boundary and acknowledge the tireless work of those behind the scenes whose contributions often go unseen but are vital to the health and growth of the game.

John Gorman (Nottinghamshire CCC) and Gail Roberts (Northamptonshire CCC) typified those qualities as they were both awarded the Dinesh Patel MVP award.

Gorman, Notts’ Venue Facilities Manager, is described as the “indispensable engine room of Trent Bridge” who has “an unshakeable positive attitude and always willing to go above and beyond to support staff, players, and customers”.

Roberts delivers first-class cricket operations at Northants most notably having had a pivotal role in the successful introduction of the Steelbacks Women’s Team.

Esther Lau-Mackaay (Warwickshire Cricket Foundation & Warwickshire CCC) won the Values Champion award in her role as Community Engagement Officer.

Lau-Mackaay, described a “future leader”, has developed relationships with local faith groups and community organisations to ensure Edgbaston Stadium is welcoming and a community hub. Somerset Marketing Lead, Freddy Midgley, was awarded the Rising Star.

Lancashire Cricket claimed two awards for the Most Welcoming & Inclusive Stadia and the Transforming the Women’s Game award.

The judging panel noted that Lancashire had “set a national benchmark” in awarding them the Transforming the Women’s Game award not just for a season in which they won two trophies on the field, but also due to “outstanding and comprehensive” transformation across grassroots development, infrastructure investment, commercial growth and cultural integration.

Surrey CCC won the Communications Campaign of the Year for the memorable ‘A Day for Thorpey’ which helped raise over £170,000 for the charity Mind during the fifth men’s Test and which poignantly celebrated the life of England and Surrey legend Graham Thorpe.

The ‘Raising the Game’ EDI Initiative award was won by Worcestershire for the club’s MENCAP Inclusion Partnership, where adults with learning difficulties are not just welcomed into the club but are visible contributors to its matchday experience and community programmes.

The Recreational & Community Initiative of the Year award was won by Yorkshire CCC for its Roses Cricket Girls' Programme, while Somerset CCC won the Sponsorship of the Year for its partnership with Vertu Motors.

Warwickshire CCC won both the Tickets or Memberships Sales & Marketing Campaign of the Year and the Best Women’s International Spectator Experience award.

The club also took home the Best Development of New Facility (under £500,000) for their upgraded dressing room facilities within the RES Wyatt Stand, which was transformed into a state-of-the-art High Performance Hub designed specifically to meet the needs of the women’s game, while also being accessible to the wider community.

The Best Development of New Facility (over £500,000) was awarded to Surrey CCC for the world-class renovation of its existing players changing and support facilities.

Nottinghamshire CCC won the Best Men’s International Spectator Experience award.

Hampshire CCC was top-rated for the Best Vitality Blast Spectator Experience with Glamorgan CCC top for the Best Hundred Spectator Experience.

The Best Use of Social was won by Middlesex CCC highlighted by the “use of humanising content to give fans an inside view on the squad”.

Award winner list:

Most Welcoming & Inclusive Stadia: Lancashire Cricket

Sponsorship of the Year: Somerset County Cricket Club

Tickets or Memberships Sales & Marketing Campaign of the Year: Warwickshire County Cricket Club

Communications Campaign of the Year: Surrey County Cricket Club

Best Use of Social: Middlesex County Cricket Club

Recreational & Community Initiative of the Year:Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Best Development or New Facility over £500K: Surrey County Cricket Club

Transforming the Women’s Game: Lancashire Cricket

Raising the Game EDI Initiative Award: Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Best Women’s International Spectator Experience:Warwickshire County Cricket Club

Best Men’s International Spectator Experience:Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club

Best Development or New Facility under £500K:Warwickshire County Cricket Club

Best Vitality Blast Spectator Experience: Hampshire County Cricket Club

Best The Hundred Spectator Experience: Glamorgan Cricket

Rising Star: Freddy Midgley (Somerset County Cricket Club)

Dinesh Patel MVP: John Gorman (Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club), Gail Roberts (Northamptonshire County Cricket Club)

Values Champion: Esther Lau-Mackaay (Warwickshire Cricket Foundation)

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