The award recognises the county’s delivery of the MCC Foundation (MCCF) Hub Programme, which offers free, high-quality coaching and competitive cricket to talented state-school players.

Matthew Senior, cricket development officer and MCC Foundation lead at Northumberland Cricket, said: "This award is great recognition for everyone involved.

"We’ve got a great group of coaches who put a huge amount into the Hubs, so it’s brilliant to see that work recognised.

"But the thing we’re most excited about is what it means for the young people taking part.

"Seeing more than 20 players go on to represent the county this year shows the real impact the Hubs can have – breaking down barriers, opening doors and giving talented young players the chance to go further in the game.

"That’s exactly what we want the Hubs to do – make sure that a young person’s background doesn’t limit the opportunities they have in cricket."

Northumberland Cricket has expanded its hub network in 2026, with experienced coaches now delivering sessions and competitions across four hubs for 145 male and female players aged 12 to 17.

The programme reaches players from more than 25 cricket clubs, helping to strengthen grassroots cricket by providing additional coaching, competition, and development opportunities.

The MCC Foundation praised the quality and consistency of coaching in Northumberland and its integration with the county’s wider player pathway.

More than 20 hub participants have gone on to represent Northumberland at county level this year.

Ian Wardle, director of Northumberland Cricket, said: "This is fantastic recognition for Matthew, Adam and our team of coaches involved with the delivery of the MCC Foundation programme in Northumberland.

"One of our priorities is to ensure that talented young people can access opportunities to develop within cricket, and that there are clear routes between the different programmes we deliver.

"The number of young people moving from our MCCF Hubs and onto representative county cricket this year shows exactly why that work matters.

"We’re hugely grateful to MCC Foundation for their continued investment and support, and we look forward to building on the programme again in 2027."