Top cricket official gets reward for his service

Wheeler, who is secretary of Ilkley Cricket Club, also represents the Aire-Wharfe Cricket Development Group, the West Yorkshire Women’s and Girls’ Cricket Development Group and the Halifax Cricket League, won the leagues and boards award.

His nomination read: “Brian is nominated for his dedication and commitment to junior cricket development in the Airedale-Wharfedale and West Yorkshire areas.

“He is chairman of the Airedale Junior Cricket League, and has been for many years, introducing under-11 cricket in 1998 to add to the under-13s, under-15s and under-17s’ structure.

“Then, in 2003, he encouraged clubs to support an under-nines league's under-13 team in the Yorkshire Lord’s Taverners inter-league competition.

“He is especially supportive of girls cricket and has helped some clubs put girls-only teams into the league with a year’s advantage in the playing qualifications.”

The nomination continued: “He is secretary of the West Yorkshire Women and Girls’ Cricket Development Group, overseeing the excellent development of the area through accessing grants and developing coaching initiatives.

“He has helped many clubs form junior sections. He is also secretary of the Airedale and Wharfedale Cricket Development Group, ensuring good practice is spread across the area and organising coaching, scoring, first aid and safeguarding courses.

“Brian is also treasurer of the Yorkshire Cricket Association (representing clubs and league on the board). He is a past secretary of Yorkshire Women's Cricket Association and now sits on the Yorkshire Cricket Board as chairman of the Yorkshire Women's sub-committee.”

Runner-up was Ian Livesey of the Halifax and Huddersfield Area Cricket Council.

The ceremony took place at the Bradford & Bingley Yorkshire Cricket Centre, with board chairman Philip Radcliffe, vice-chairman Albert Pattison, director of development Andrew Watson and ECB regional manager Phil Nedley presenting the awards.