Daniel Miller, Nikhil Patel, Sriram Gopalsami, Owen Gregory and Mithun Thakkar have been named as Western Sydney’s top volunteers from across community cricket.
The ask went out to put forward those who make a significant contribution to their cricketing community for Thunder’s 'Hero of the West' award.
Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our game. A lifeblood of their respective clubs and associations, all going above and beyond to contribute to the cricketing community.
A winner will be announced at Thunder’s ‘Best of the West’ fixture on Monday, January 12.
Last season’s vote saw Chirag Bansal crowned Hero of the West after his significant efforts championing girls cricket in the Parramatta region.
Daniel Miller - Kellyville Ridge Cricket Club
Daniel is a highly dedicated and hands-on club president who has coached numerous junior teams and helped develop players at both club and Blacktown representative levels. He supports all aspects of club operations, including registrations, umpiring, mentoring, and community engagement. Daniel has strengthened the Kellyville Ridge Cricket Club by improving equipment, supporting coach development, and introducing Woolworths Cricket Blast to grow grassroots participation. His leadership continues to inspire and uplift young players.
Nikhil Patel - Bungarribee County Cricket Club
Nikhil has played an exceptional role in growing and strengthening community cricket across Western Sydney through his leadership of the Bungarribee County Cricket Club.
He has led key outreach programs, including school visits, multicultural inclusion initiatives, and community workshops that have expanded cricket access and encouraged new families to join the sport. This year, Nikhil made a particularly powerful impact on girls’ cricket, organising Girls‑Only Gala Days, supporting the Girls‑Only League, and creating a safe, encouraging environment for young female players to thrive.
Alongside this, he delivered performance coaching sessions, mentored junior players, and even provided free strength and conditioning training for juniors and seniors.
Sriram Gopalsami - Parramatta Cheetahs Cricket Club
Sriram has transformed Parramatta Cheetahs Cricket Club from a small seniors-only team into a thriving junior and community-focused club. As president, he has built structure, attracted families and volunteers, and created new opportunities for young players. He also coaches the U12 representative team, serves as the Appointments Officer for the Parramatta Umpires Association, and is an active PDCA Competition Committee member.
This year, under his leadership, the club achieved exceptional growth, including fielding two U9 teams in a new Cricket NSW initiative and recording the highest year-on-year participation increases in the July 2025 Club Development Report. He also strengthened community engagement through initiatives like Family Day, increased women’s involvement, and supported new volunteers and junior families with patience and care.
Owen Gregory - Magpies Cricket Club Campbelltown
Owen Gregory is an outstanding volunteer whose leadership and coaching have strengthened every level of junior cricket at the Magpies Cricket Club. Despite no longer having a child in the program, he continues to coach, mentor junior coaches, and step in wherever teams need support.
This year, Owen played a key role in securing sponsorships and supporting grant applications, helping the club build a strong financial base that has allowed increased investment in junior equipment, coaching resources, and development programs.
Mithun Thakkar - Willowdale Cricket Club
Mithun is one of Willowdale Cricket Club’s most dedicated and versatile volunteers, taking on an exceptional range of responsibilities. He serves as Club Secretary, Junior Head Coach, and Grade 6 captain, while also stepping in as an umpire whenever needed. He supports nine junior teams, manages communications with over 100 families, and handles schedules, ground keys, reports, and registrations with reliability and care. He also introduced Player of the Match awards for juniors and provides training for new volunteers in scoring, umpiring, and event management. His commitment keeps the club organised, motivated, and running smoothly.
Come and show your appreciation for the five finalists at ENGIE Stadium on Monday, January 12. Secure your tickets HERE.