The Next Test Co-Founder, Xeena Cooper Scoops Climate Change Award

Last week the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation hosted an awards ceremony during the interval of a county one-day match, celebrating volunteerism across the county. A total of 15 categories received nominations from cricket clubs and cricket organisations, with the winners announced at the ceremony. Categories included incredible volunteers working in youth cricket; girls & women’s squads; disabled cricket; walking cricket; and many others. One of their categories is ‘Tackling Climate Change’, with Xeena Cooper from The Next Test named as one of three nominees, and she came away as the recipient! We want to share this news as we are excited for her and the other nominees making a big difference across the region.

This is what the Foundation said when introducing Xeena, “Our winner has been an indefatigable campaigner for climate action and sustainability within the cricket world as part of The Next Test organisation. Over the past year they have been the driving force behind a project to produce both a sustainability conference and a climate action plan for cricket through consultation with the Bristol cricketing community.

The Greener Games Conference brought together the big hitters of sustainability and was the first of its kind within cricket, attracting national attention and featuring in the Wisden cricket monthly magazine.

The resulting Community Climate Action Plan published in June 2025 is the first of its kind, providing a blueprint for cricket clubs big and small everywhere to follow when working towards sustainability.”

The other volunteers at The Next Test want to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate Xeena, as we have witnessed the work she's put in behind the scenes this year and in the past. She is an inspiration and a role model for other volunteers who are working towards positive changes to ensure all cricketers have a vibrant future. The Community Climate Action Plan mentioned by the Foundation includes ideas on how clubs at all levels can think of effective solutions for transport, food, energy, waste & resources, nature, or buildings & grounds. The award recognises the significance of the plan, and a summary document can be found by clicking the link below:

https://www.thenexttest.org/blog/scoring-the-next-century-climate-and-nature-action-plan-for-cricket