Roland Butcher, the cricket history-maker, honoured in England

Roland Butcher, the first black man to play cricket for England, was honoured over the weekend at a ceremony celebrating his immense contribution to the sport.

The event was Sporting Equals which brought together some of the most influential voices in sport for an unforgettable evening at its flagship Sporting Equals Awards ceremony, held on Saturday, April 18 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Among the most prestigious honours were the Special Lifetime Achievement Awards, presented to Butcher and Maggie Alphonsi.

Both were recognised for their exceptional contributions to sport and their enduring impact in advancing equality and opportunity.

Butcher, who was born in Barbados, moved to England as a child and went on to have an outstanding cricket career for Middlesex in English County cricket where he played at Lord’s.

His first Test match was against West Indies in his hometown Barbados at Kensington Oval in 1981.

“I’m delighted and truly honoured to be nominated for a Special Lifetime Achievement Award and alongside Maggie Alphonsi. It is also great to be joining Lynford Christie, Denise Lewis, Sol Campbell and Jason Robinson, such a prestigious group who have received this special award,” he said in a statement

Now in their ninth edition, the Sporting Equals Awards recognise individuals, organisations and initiatives that are driving meaningful change and increasing opportunities for ethnically diverse communities across sport and physical activity. (PS)

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