Fiona Newnham, one of Ventnor Cricket Club’s most loyal and long serving volunteers, has been
awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.
Her extraordinary contribution to Ventnor Cricket Club is largely un-paralleled and unique in its many
facets of volunteering.
Already an active committee member, Fiona’s major role within the Club started in the early 1990’s
and at a time when we decided on a change of direction. The Club were accepted into the
Hampshire Cricket League, progressing through the pyramid to win promotion to the Southern
Premier League in 2000.
Not only did she become the main Club scorer during this time, committing to mainland travel at least
every other week, Fiona also volunteered to drive the players’ minibus to games with many eventful
stories emanating over the years!
The Club would not have been able to sustain travel costs to matches without external support and it
is thanks to Fiona’s excellent links and negotiating skills that the Red Funnel ferry company has
continued to sponsor us for more than 20 seasons.
Catering chairman
Over the years, Fiona has been a great support to the 1st XI captain in her role as team
manager, using her effervescent personality to take responsibility for onerous jobs such as collecting
match fees and subscriptions, encouraging attendance at practice and net sessions and ensuring all
players are registered to compete in our competitions.
Always willing to step up to assist in other areas, she somehow managed to combine scoring with the
job as caterer for several seasons and is currently the Chair of the House and Bar Committee.
Indeed, Fiona remains a familiar face behind the bar, both after matches and even occasionally
between overs, such is her versatility and never ending energy!
The acquisition of overseas players is a considerable commitment, and the Club could not have
entertained such an ambition without Fiona’s generosity in hosting cricketers in her own home over
the years.
Computer expertise
Fiona also provides an important link to club members, ensuring that weekly match reports are
distributed and forthcoming events and matches publicised.
Her organisational abilities also extend to the minute taking of our Executive and Cricket Committee
meetings and disseminating the notes and actions to colleagues.
Fiona has brilliantly embraced technological developments in the cricket scorer’s world and to
observe her computer expertise while simultaneously maintaining the traditional score book and
electronic scoreboard is a sight to behold!
To be chosen to score for South Africa at Lord’s in a one day international several years ago was a
thoroughly deserved honour for Fiona.
Her scoring expertise also caught the eye of Hampshire Cricket and two years ago Fiona was
appointed the County’s Official Scorer, quite an achievement and a proud moment for Fiona and our
Club.
Fiona continues to be an integral part of the Club. Our success and development over the years
owes so much to the skills, loyalty, generosity, work ethic, enthusiasm and humour she possesses.
Over the years, few volunteers in the Club have given and continue to give, so much of their time for
the benefit of others.
Her recognition is a fitting tribute to a much loved and respected member of Ventnor Cricket Club.
The late John Hilsum was similarly awarded with the BEM in 2021, while last week retired Hampshire chief executive Rod Bransgrove has received the OBE, while Ken Weatherley, father of Hampshire batsman Joe Weatherley, is similarly rewarded for his services to tennis.
awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.
Her extraordinary contribution to Ventnor Cricket Club is largely un-paralleled and unique in its many
facets of volunteering.
Already an active committee member, Fiona’s major role within the Club started in the early 1990’s
and at a time when we decided on a change of direction. The Club were accepted into the
Hampshire Cricket League, progressing through the pyramid to win promotion to the Southern
Premier League in 2000.
Not only did she become the main Club scorer during this time, committing to mainland travel at least
every other week, Fiona also volunteered to drive the players’ minibus to games with many eventful
stories emanating over the years!
The Club would not have been able to sustain travel costs to matches without external support and it
is thanks to Fiona’s excellent links and negotiating skills that the Red Funnel ferry company has
continued to sponsor us for more than 20 seasons.
Catering chairman
Over the years, Fiona has been a great support to the 1st XI captain in her role as team
manager, using her effervescent personality to take responsibility for onerous jobs such as collecting
match fees and subscriptions, encouraging attendance at practice and net sessions and ensuring all
players are registered to compete in our competitions.
Always willing to step up to assist in other areas, she somehow managed to combine scoring with the
job as caterer for several seasons and is currently the Chair of the House and Bar Committee.
Indeed, Fiona remains a familiar face behind the bar, both after matches and even occasionally
between overs, such is her versatility and never ending energy!
The acquisition of overseas players is a considerable commitment, and the Club could not have
entertained such an ambition without Fiona’s generosity in hosting cricketers in her own home over
the years.
Computer expertise
Fiona also provides an important link to club members, ensuring that weekly match reports are
distributed and forthcoming events and matches publicised.
Her organisational abilities also extend to the minute taking of our Executive and Cricket Committee
meetings and disseminating the notes and actions to colleagues.
Fiona has brilliantly embraced technological developments in the cricket scorer’s world and to
observe her computer expertise while simultaneously maintaining the traditional score book and
electronic scoreboard is a sight to behold!
To be chosen to score for South Africa at Lord’s in a one day international several years ago was a
thoroughly deserved honour for Fiona.
Her scoring expertise also caught the eye of Hampshire Cricket and two years ago Fiona was
appointed the County’s Official Scorer, quite an achievement and a proud moment for Fiona and our
Club.
Fiona continues to be an integral part of the Club. Our success and development over the years
owes so much to the skills, loyalty, generosity, work ethic, enthusiasm and humour she possesses.
Over the years, few volunteers in the Club have given and continue to give, so much of their time for
the benefit of others.
Her recognition is a fitting tribute to a much loved and respected member of Ventnor Cricket Club.
The late John Hilsum was similarly awarded with the BEM in 2021, while last week retired Hampshire chief executive Rod Bransgrove has received the OBE, while Ken Weatherley, father of Hampshire batsman Joe Weatherley, is similarly rewarded for his services to tennis.
