By Gareth James
Matthew Maynard has spoken of his pride and emotion after receiving the Professional Cricketers’ Association Outstanding Contribution Award at the cinch PCA Awards.
The former England and Glamorgan player accepted the prestigious prize following a standing ovation of appreciation from everyone in attendance at the Troxy in East London.
Maynard set up the Tom Maynard Trust following the tragic death of his son, Tom, in 2012. The Trust helped with the development of aspiring disadvantaged cricketers and other sportspeople who required support with different aspects of their career development.
The Tom Maynard Trust has helped many players’ organisations, including the PCA with sponsorship of its annual Rookie Camp, to provide support for raising awareness of some of the pitfalls of a career in sport, helping with education, induction and careers programmes for young professionals making their way in sport.
https://twitter.com/PCA/status/1842106639723196913
In total, the charity supported over £500,000 worth of individual grants and projects between 2012-2023. This was in addition to the Tom Maynard Academy trips that had five intakes of young, aspiring professional cricketers between 2014-2018, with England opener Ben Duckett and the 2024 Vitality County Championship Division One’s leading wicket-taker, Jamie Porter benefitting.
After Tom’s passing, the Cricketers’ Trust supported the Maynard family through counselling with Maynard encouraging other current and former players over the years to use the services of the charity if they need help.
Earlier this year, Maynard completed the incredible feat of walking from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall, raising over £23,000 for the Cricketers’ Trust and Help for Heroes.
The cinch PCA Awards provided the platform to celebrate the 58-year-old’s achievements, accepting the award created by the PCA’s Official Trophy Partner Mappin & Webb. Interim Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell presented the bespoke trophy as the 500 guests in attendance rose to their feet.
Congratulations to Matthew Maynard
PCA Outstanding Contribution Award 2024 @mattmaynard25 #PCAAwards https://t.co/LDZSd96NEo— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) October 2, 2024
Maynard becomes the third winner of the award, following Andy Brassington’s and Tom Smith’s successes in 2022 and 2023.
On winning the award, Maynard said: “It was a huge shock, it’s an unbelievable trophy to win and to be recognised by an organisation that looked after me in my playing days and then after losing Tom as well is fantastic.
“I didn’t notice the standing ovation because I had tears in my eyes after seeing my daughter in the video, it’s a huge privilege and an honour to receive this.
“The last 12 years have been really difficult for the family, but setting up the Tom Maynard Trust was a way of keeping Tom’s name alive and helping others achieve their dreams in playing professional sport.
“It helped us as a family giving us something to do, I had great counselling from the Cricketers’ Trust which was hugely important to me and my family, you never get over something like this, you just learn to live with it, it’s been a tough journey.
“I think Tom would be enormously proud, I’m very grateful to the PCA for this award.”
PCA Managing Director of Member Services, Ian Thomas, said: “With the tragedy that happened many people would not be able to cope and shut themselves off, but not Matt.
“To have chosen to set up the Tom Maynard Trust and put together a programme that supports the game and individuals is very inspirational.
“The legacy that Tom is leaving in the game is something that Matt and the family should be proud of.
“The Wellyman walk was incredible, it shows his mental toughness. Congratulations Matt and thank you for everything that you’ve done for the PCA and the Cricketers’ Trust.”
https://twitter.com/mattmaynard25/status/1841431758199300432
Full list of awards announced at the cinch PCA Awards:
- cinch PCA Women’s Player of the Year – Kathryn Bryce
- cinch PCA Men’s Player of the Year – Liam Dawson
- cinch PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year – Ryana MacDonald-Gay
- cinch PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year – Jamie Smith
- PCA Outstanding Contribution Award – Matthew Maynard
- Rado Recognition Award – Harry Brook and Lauren Bell
- ECB Special Merit – James Anderson
- PCA Umpire of the Year – Men’s Game – Neil Bainton
- PCA Umpire of the Year – Women’s Game – Anna Harris
List of awards recognised at the cinch PCA Awards
- Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year – Kathryn Bryce
- The Hundred Women’s PCA MVP of the Year – Annabel Sutherland
- The Hundred Men’s PCA MVP of the Year – Sam Curran
- Rothesay Men’s Test Player of the Summer – Joe Root
- Metro Bank ODI Women’s Player of the Summer – Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Vitality Blast Player of the Year – David Payne
- Vitality IT20 Men’s Player of the Summer – Jos Buttler
- Vitality IT20 Women’s Player of the Summer – Sarah Glenn
- Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Player of the Year – Alice Davidson-Richards
- PCA Women’s Domestic Overall MVP – Kathryn Bryce
- Metro Bank One Day Cup Player of the Year – Ed Barnard
- Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year – Grace Scrivens, Sophia Dunkley, Kathryn Bryce (C), Paige Scholfield, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sarah Bryce (WK), Amanda-Jade Wellington, Kirstie Gordon, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Linsey Smith, Freya Davies
- Metro Bank ODI Men’s Player of the Summer – Harry Brook
- PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP – Liam Dawson
- Vitality County Championship Player of the Year – Liam Dawson
- IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year – Keaton Jennings, Alex Davies, James Vince, Tom Banton, David Bedingham, Michael Pepper (WK), Liam Dawson (C), Ed Barnard, David Payne, Dan Worrall, Jamie Porter