CLUB CHAIRMAN DEREK HOPKINS WINS TOP AWARD

Derek at the awards pictured with Mark Butcher

Did you know we have an OSCA winner in our midst?

Most of you will be blissfully unaware of what an OSCA is. Now that I know, I can pass on the secret.

OSCA is short for Outstanding Services to Cricket Award. If you are still unsure let me expand.

Every season we play cricket for recreation purposes and enjoyment. Most of us take for granted that everything will be as it was last season and for the multitude of seasons prior to that.

Unfortunately these things do not organise themselves, it takes someone a great deal of time and effort to organise even one team, arranging fixtures, picking teams, going to meetings, sorting out the kit, collecting the money, captaining the team and a host of other tasks. That is purely for one team!

Our OSCA winner did all of that and more and I will list below some of his achievements. I will not ask you to guess who it is as I am sure you already realise that his name is Derek Hopkins.

Derek started Suttoners cricket club in 1967 and was head cook and bottle washer for many years. Suttoners grew to such a size that in 1978, a second team was required, by 1988 a third team was formed and in 2002 a fourth. Along side his secretarial duties for Suttoners, Derek also was at the forefront of youth cricket in Bournemouth. Derek entered a youth team into the first league and we still maintain a place in what has now become the Under 14 league.

On the back of the under 14 success Suttoners now have youth teams at Under 13, 14, 15 and under 16 levels.

I almost forgot, Derek also captained the 1^st XI for 21 years and was secretary for more than that. In his spare evenings he entered a team into the Wimborne Evening League and also played in the Sunday XI.

Away from Suttoners life was a bit quieter, he served on the Bournemouth and District Cricket Association for at least 30 years, taking various positions including Chairman and President, he has also had the “pleasure” of producing the B&DCA handbook for the past 28 years and what a great publication. Many of the write ups and most of the “bits and pieces”sections, are his own literary gems, with his own style of humour spread throughout the pages.

Derek also took it upon himself to organise the festival of cricket at Dean Park, over 3 days each August, for the past 7 years. He also started a Bournemouth over 50`s team, that play competitive cricket against other associations and Counties.

As if this wasn’t enough, his love of youth cricket saw him become part of the East Dorset Youth Cricket Association and ultimately led to his position on the board of the Dorset Youth Forum.

To abbreviate the above, Derek has devoted virtually the whole of his adult life to the game of cricket.

So on Monday 4^th October, Derek and I were asked to go to the spiritual home of cricket, Lords, to a special lunch to recognise the work done by so many volunteers throughout the country.

I will say at this point that I was nominated along with Derek, so to have two individuals from one club nominated was a feat in itself.

Derek was absolutely stunned when his name was called out and his list of achievements and contributions to local cricket was read out to over 300 people. Gob smacked didn’t even come close when he was presented with a bat signed by the England and West Indies squads and the applause that greeted him were loud and warm. It was extra special that most of the people at the lunch were nominees and everyone there knew the hours, months and years of dedication that have culminated in the recognition given to Derek by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Mark Butcher was present as was Claire Connor the England Ladies captain and both asked for Dereks autograph 

The event was a huge success with another six people being honoured for their work and the venue certainly did the event justice.

From my own point of view, I have known Derek for about 24 years now and he even found time to be best man at my wedding. He has certainly imposed some of his organisational expertise on me and this has ensured that our cricket club and our local leagues will continue to prosper. Please don’t get me wrong though, we are still looking for volunteers!!!!!

A massive thanks to Derek for all that he has done for local cricket in the past 70+ years and thanks for what he has done for Suttoners cricket club, helping to turn us into one of the strongest, largest and most successful clubs in the region.

  Andy Fitzjohn

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Derek receiving his award