Nelson Cricket wrapped up another thrilling season in style, hosting the 2024–25 Nelson Cricket Awards at the Saxton Oval Pavilion Lounge on April 16. With the season’s final runs tallied, wickets taken, and boundaries still echoing in our minds, the evening was a celebration of excellence, effort, and community.
Players, coaches, supporters, and volunteers came together in a night of well-deserved recognition, and good laughs. The Pavilion Lounge was buzzing from the shared passion that drives cricket in our region.
Beyond the silverware, this was a night to reflect on the season’s highlights—from record-breaking performances to last-ball thrillers, from early morning pitch prep to late-night score updates. It was also a chance to thank the families, funders, sponsors, and behind-the-scenes heroes who keep the game alive in Nelson.
A huge thanks to everyone who made the night a success, and an even bigger thank you to all those who make every weekend of cricket happen across our region.
Here’s to another incredible season of cricket—and to an even bigger 2025–26!
🥇 Major Award Winners
Presidents Cup (Outstanding Contribution to Nelson Cricket) - Julie Baxendine
Julie Baxendine was recognised for her significant contribution to cricket at many levels. Julie's contributions during her tenure on the Nelson Cricket Board are undeniable, with her time coming to an end in 2024 so she could take up a position on the Central Districts Cricket Association Board - highlighting how lucky Nelson Cricket is to have someone of Julie's calibre in our community.Houston Motors Cup (Most Valuable Club Person of the Year) - Reuben Smith
Reuben has been a significant figure of Mapua Cricket Club. As a junior club, under Reuben's guidance, they have seen significant growth helping foster a fun and enjoyable environment. Reuben's support of Club cricket does not end with Mapua CC, also helping coach junior teams with Waimea Toi Toi United CC and playing for Athletic College Old Boys.Donald Farquhar Memorial Cup (Umpire of the Year) - John Bromley
His passion, commitment, demeanor, and consistency are but a few of the key traits regularly used to describe John by the Premier sides. While the players might not always agree with his decisions (no one likes getting out, or having their LBW shout turned down), they always appreciate how he approaches the game and have immense respect for John.J&V Rodgers Plate (Men's Representative Player of the Year) - Sean Neal
Balancing the duties of coach and player for the Nelson Pine Griffins is not easy, but that is what Sean did during the 2024-25 season. Sean contributed in all aspects averaging 26.27 with the bat (high score of 118), picking up 8 wickets (best figures of 5/38), and taking 6 catches.Women's Representative Player of the Year - Kate Gaging
Kate had an exceptional season which saw her pick up a Central Hinds contract, selected for the NZ XI to play 2 x warm-up games against Sri Lanka before their tour of New Zealand, and participate in the North v South series. This was on top of her continued commitment to the NBS Nelson Nyxons - where she scored a century (111 not out) against Taranaki in the CD T20 tournament.
🏏 A Night to Remember
There were two names that were called more than any others during the course of the evening; Sam Elstone and Kate Gaging.
Sam had an exceptional season with bat in hand - collecting 3 individual trophies along with the 3 his Club side (The Car Company Stoke-Nayland CC Premier) picked up. Sam secured his first trophy of the evening, the Vonda Edwards Memorial Trophy for the most premier runs, after accumulating an astonishing 999 runs at an average of 58. An incredible 233 runs clear of the next player. Sam's form carried on to the Nelson Pine Griffins, where he scored 353 runs at an average of 58.83 - securing the Don Salton Trophy for the Representative Men's Batsman of the Year.
Kate also picked up 3 individual accolades. In addition to the Women's Representative Player of the Year, Kate also received the Batswomen of the Year - scoring 266 runs for the NBS Nyxons at an average of 42. Kate was also recognised for her efforts in the coaching space, picking up the Women's Coach of the Year award.
đź“ś Full Awards List
Juniors
Junior Representative Coach of the Season | Tony Pratt |
Junior Girl of the Season | Summa Pratt |
Schools Coach of the Year | Brad Norris |
Junior Pathway Coach of the Year | Brad Norris |
Most Promising Young Player | Kurt Ward |
Junior Boy of the Season | Oran Sim |
Grade Winners
Presidents Grade - Country | Dovedale Bulls |
Presidents Grade - City | Stoke-Nayland Lions |
3rd Grade - T20 Competition | ACOB Blasters |
3rd Grade - 40-Over Competition | ACOB Blasters |
2nd Grade - T20 Competition | ACOB |
2nd Grade - 40-Over Competition | Stoke-Nayland CC |
2nd Grade City v Country | Country |
Premier Grade - T20 Competition | ACOB |
Premier Grade - 50-Over Round Robin Winners | Stoke-Nayland CC |
Premier Grade - 50-Over Competition | Stoke-Nayland CC |
Premier Grade - Best Fielder | Sam Baxendine |
Premier Grade - Most Wicketkeeping Dismissals | Carl Quinn |
Premier Grade - Most Wickets | Tom Wilson |
Premier Grade - Most Runs | Sam Elstone |
Sellor Trophy - Best and Fairest | ACOB |
Women's Summer Smash | Ruru |
Representative
Female Coach of the Year | Kate Gaging |
Batswomen of the Year | Kate Gaging |
Women's Bowler of the Year | Petra Cederman |
Women's Cricketer of the Year | Kate Gaging |
Batsman of the Year | Sam Elstone |
Men's Bowler of the Year | Matt O'Sullivan |
Men's Players Player of the Season | Cameron Neame |
Men's Cricketer of the Year | Sean Neal |
Special
Groundsman of the Year | Bede O'Connell |
Umpire of the Year | John Bromley |
Ramblers - Cricketer of the Year | Sam Elstone |
Club MVP | Reuben Smith |
Presidents Cup | Julie Baxendine |
