Jim Bennett receives major ICC award
Below is the press release released today by Cricket Ireland, to announce the awarding of the ICC's Lifetime Service Award to Jim Bennett of The Hills.
However, it would be remiss of Cricket Leinster to merely publish a press release to honour such an occasion. Jim has been a tireless (and selfless) servant of cricket across Ireland, across Leinster, and in The Hills Cricket Club, for whom he has done so much.
Jim embodies everything that makes volunteering such an important part of any society, and cricket in particular has been lucky to have Jim working for it. Cricket Leinster would like to extend its warmest congratulations to Jim, his family, and all in The Hills, on a thoroughly deserved award.
Cricket Ireland's press release is below.
"Jim Bennett has won the prestigious Lifetime Service Award in the ICC Global Development awards which were revealed in Dubai this morning.
He has forged a deserved reputation as one of the most tireless and dedicated volunteers in Leinster and Irish cricket, where his work particularly in the sphere of youth cricket is legendary.
“I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for nominating me and to the ICC for this recognition,” said Bennett after learning of the accolade. “I am delighted to accept the award on behalf of the volunteers who do so much for cricket, especially youth cricket in Ireland.
“It is a great honour for me, my family and my club - The Hills CC - to follow in the footsteps of the distinguished previous recipients of the award. I hope that I will be in a position to continue to assist Irish cricket in any way which is required.”
Cricket Ireland President Henry Tighe paid tribute to The Hills stalwart saying: “I am absolutely delighted to learn of the ICC Lifetime Service Global Award being achieved by Jim.
“He has given exceptional voluntary service to the game in support of The Hills CC, Cricket Leinster, and Cricket Ireland over many years. His work included overseeing the direction of youth cricket in Ireland, and his efforts played a major part in our success at that level over such a long period.
“I congratulate Jim wholeheartedly, who is so worthy of this award given his exceptional contribution to the game in this country.”
The award is the second in recent months for the recently retired school principal, having picked up the Flogas Outstanding Contribution to Irish Cricket honour in December."