We recently spoke to ECB Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Ernie Brabbins about his life in cricket and why, with ECB Cricket Collective Awards nominations ongoing, it is so important to give volunteers recognition.
As part of our support for the ECB Cricket Collective Awards, which shines a light on the fantastic work volunteers do for cricket, we spoke to Ernie Brabbins – a true legend in the Cumbria Cricket Family and a man who has dedicated countless hours to support our wonderful game.
Ernie was deservedly presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ECB’s Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards at Lord’s in 2019.
The 83-year-old has been volunteering in Cumbria since 1974 and, while he is stepping down from his role as Chairman of Appleby Eden Cricket Club, which he helped rebuild following the devastation of Storm Desmond in 2015, and recently finished umpiring, he has no intention of giving up his voluntary work any time soon.
“Not while I can still physically do it,” he says.
“I left umpiring in 2019 after umpiring in the Eden Valley league that season, and then COVID kicked in, which meant we didn’t get a lot of cricket in 2020 and 2021. I then turned 80 in 2021 and thought it was a good opportunity to take a step back from umpiring, so I started scoring for the first team instead, which I’ve done ever since whilst also caring for the ground alongside my son.
“I find it keeps me quite fit – plenty of walking and it’s quite pleasant sitting on a mower or a roller on a sunny afternoon!
“I’ll also pop down occasionally for the All Stars and Dynamos sessions, but they’re far too quick for me!
“Hopefully I’ll continue to be involved.”
Ernie’s love affair with cricket goes all the way back to his home city of Liverpool and his first experience in 1949, where he says he practically ‘lived at Aigburth Cricket Club’.
“I was taken to Aigburth to watch Lancashire play New Zealand,” he says.
“Back then it was always Lancashire who hosted the touring side in Liverpool – I still remember to this day that Cyril Washbrook scored 125!
“Then we had the famous Ramadhin, Valentine and three Ws come over with the West Indies in 1950.
“That was my introduction to cricket and it’s never left me.”
A large part of the reason Ernie’s enthusiasm for the game has been so infectious is due to his upbringing and values he had instilled in him when he was young.
“I remember in my first season I nicked one and the wicketkeeper caught it, but I wasn’t given out so I stood my ground,” Ernie recalls.
“At the end of the over, my fellow batsman came up to me and asked if I’d nicked it, which I admitted I had, and he said ‘If you ever do that again when I’m at the other end, I’ll come down and kick your backside so hard you won’t sit down for a week!’
“That lived with me throughout my career and those are the standards I go by.”
Once of his mantras has always been “‘You dress sloppy, you look sloppy, you play sloppy!”
Ernie’s dedication has earned him respect throughout the cricketing community and his guidance has helped players progress through the ranks at Appleby, and that’s what makes him keep coming back.
“I just love it! It’s been an important part of my life.
“When I was working, I found it was a great way to relax at the weekend.
“The incentive I have is seeing young kids come to the club when they’re 6 or 7 and they progress through the ranks. For example, six of the last U15 team I coached currently play for the first team.
“Back in 2019, somebody even sent me a photo of our 2008 U11s team, and eight of them were still playing first team cricket 10 years later.
“You take such pride in these sorts of things.
“It’s just one big family and it’s great that I now get to do it with both my son and grandson.”
Following his Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Ernie knows the importance of nominating volunteers for awards to ensure their work is recognised.
“I think it’s important that you highlight these things to encourage other people to get involved.
“Trying to get volunteers is possibly the hardest thing to do in any club. Not necessarily for the major jobs, but even for the small jobs like helping to tidy up the ground.
“The more people are aware that these awards take place and people are recognised for the job they do, that makes finding volunteers just that bit easier.”
Ernie’s dedication to cricket has ensured he has friends for life and he is a much-loved member of our community.
Asked if he had a message for volunteers, he said:
“Just get involved!
“It becomes a big family – some of my best and oldest friends have come through cricket.
“For example, about six years ago I got a phone call from the Tourist Information Centre in Appleby saying ‘we’ve had a chap in asking if we knew you’.
“He knew I was associated with the cricket club and just asked the Tourist Information Centre to tell me that an old friend was trying to get in touch and to meet him at the Hare & Hounds pub in town. So I went down and it was a chap I’d played cricket with on the Wirral who I hadn’t seen in about 20 years!
“He’s been up a few times since and we always go out for a few beers and chat away. And that’s what cricket can do. As I’ve mentioned several times, it just becomes one big family!”
Nominate your hero in the Cricket Collective Awards
We know how much dedicated volunteers like Ernie contribute to our game and we encourage everyone in the Cumbria Cricket Family to nominate their local hero for the ECB Cricket Collective Awards.
You WILL know someone who has gone above and beyond at your club or league to make sure you are able to enjoy our wonderful game.
Whether it’s a coach, ground staff, a young volunteer championing the game, or someone who has been a staple of your community for years, there are 14 categories, so there IS an award for them.
By nominating them for the Cumbria section of the Cricket Collective Awards, you are recognising their contribution to our game and giving them a fantastic chance of winning a much-deserved prize – an invite to attend Day Two of Durham CCC v Lancashire CCC in the beautiful Castle View Suite at Seat Unique Riverside on Tuesday 10th September, with food included.
The winners of the Cumbria section will also be put forward to the national finals to be judged by a panel from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Just like Ernie, they could also get some well deserved national recognition.
In just a few minutes, you can give your local volunteer an unforgettable experience and the recognition they deserve.
