ICC launches third annual ICC Development Program Awards

The International Cricket Council today launched the third annual ICC Development Program Awards.

The awards recognise exceptional performance and service to the game in countries outside of the ICC's 10 Full Member Countries and form part of the ICC's commitment to promoting excellence in cricket development in the 82 Associate and Affiliate member countries.

ICC Global Development Manager Matthew Kennedy explained that the awards serve an important role in encouraging countries, schools, clubs and individuals to continue and enhance their cricket development initiatives by formally recognising their achievements.

"The continuous positive progression in cricket development across the globe is largely due to the efforts and enthusiasm of numerous volunteer individuals and organisations," said Mr Kennedy.

"Their love of the game is infectious - often in places where it has not been traditionally played or known - and the work that they do is an invaluable life-line of the sport.

"As such, it is very pleasing for the ICC to be able to recognise these endeavours through the ICC Development Program Awards.

"With the clear increases in participation and profile across all 82 Associate and Affiliate member countries, the Regional and Global selection panels are sure to be faced with very worthy nominations.

"We would strongly encourage all developing cricket nations to be a part of this activity and to expose all the great cricket development that is taking place in various forms at various levels around the world."

A look back at the last two years shows the growing diversity of the cricket world with the previous global winners coming from 14 different countries in five continents.

There are nine categories in the ICC Development Program Awards 2004 including two new awards for the Photo of the Year and a special UNAIDS Award to recognise cricket-related work that has directly contributed to addressing HIV/AIDS issues and awareness as part of world cricket's commitment to help `run out AIDS'.

The nominations are first received on a regional basis with the regional winners progressing to the global final where an esteemed ICC judging panel will select the worldwide winners.

Full details of the criteria, nomination process and an application form are available on the official ICC website at www.icc-developmentawards.com.

Regional nominations close on 31 January 2005 and regional winners will be announced on the 28 February 2005.

The ICC judging panel will then select a global winner from the five regional nominations in each category, to be announced on 31 March 2005.

The full list of award categories is set out below:

The judging panel for the ICC Development Program Global Awards will comprise:

Application forms will be distributed directly to Associate and Affiliate Member countries over the coming days. For any further details of this year's awards, details of last year's winners or to apply online, visit the official website www.icc-developmentawards.com.