SPORTING achievements were celebrated at the Stratford-on-Avon District Sports Awards 2018.
The awards, which took place at Stratford ArtsHouse on Friday (January 12), recognised the success and hard work of sports men and women, teams and volunteers during the past 12 months.
Now in their 16th year, award categories included Senior Sports Person; Junior Sports Person; Senior Para-Sports Person; Junior Para-Sports Person; Senior Team; Junior Team; Senior Para-Sports Team; Junior Para-Sports Team; Coach or PE Teacher; Press Correspondent; Volunteer and Service to Sport.
Having focused on those nominated for the Volunteer Award, we now highlight those in the running for the Services to Sport Award.
Service to Sport Award
Justine Day – Stratford Town FC Colts – Justine has been the Child Welfare Officer for the 33 youth teams based at Stratford Town FC, the senior team and two adult FC Stratford teams, and has a consultancy role for the girl’s teams. STFC is now a FA Charter Standard Community Level Hub Club.
She is also the Stratford Town Colts vice chair and has been instrumental in the trebling of Colts team numbers in the past three seasons, from ten to 29 youth teams.
Prior to STFC, Justine was treasurer and secretary at Alveston FC since 2005. Justine – with her husband Chris – ran three Alveston youth teams and held soccer summer camps at Alveston for four years.
She also regularly helps out with fundraising events, and sorts out everyone’s problems, including managers, players also parents.
Simon Teale – parkrun – Simon is the event director at Stratford-upon-Avon parkrun – a free 5km event open to all which promotes health and community spirit.
He set up the parkrun in February 2016 and has attended nearly every event, either as a runner or as volunteer. He has volunteered for parkrun both in Stratford and Leamington on over 100 occasions.
Through hard work and determination he has created, along with fellow event director Natalie Dellar, a fun community event which brings together over 300 runners, walkers and volunteers.
He trained up a core team to run direct and has inspired over Duke of Edinburgh Award students to complete their volunteering, set up many safeguarding and volunteer practices that have been copied at other parkruns, and lead a fund-raising drive to buy a defibrillator available at the Recreation Ground.
Jamie Powell – Alcester Academy – Jamie has been a PE teacher at Alcester Academy for over 20 years. He organises the South Warwickshire schools athletics event and has provided extra- curricular opportunities for pupils during lunchtime, after school, at weekends and even in school holidays – leading ski trips and Duke of Edinburgh trips, to name a few.
He is also generous with his time with other members of staff, supporting and offering advice on numerous sporting and examination requests.
Simon Chester – Great Alne Cricket Club – Simon has been a key figure in the life of Great Alne Cricket Club for almost 40 years. As a player he has been a regular since 1978 with 620 games for the club. Still an active member of the Cotswold Hills League team, he is a well-respected and popular figure in local cricket.
He has served on the club committee for 35 years, was club captain for 12 years, fixture secretary for seven years and was secretary for a year. Further to this he has been responsible for raising more than £20,000 for the club, helping to provide a new pavilion and other facilities.
In 2005 he instigated a ‘kids week’ in the summer holidays, which he has run annually since that date and regularly involves over 50 children each year in sporting activities. In 2007 he started a junior section, providing opportunities for local youngsters to participate.
Lee Hillier – Snitterfield Sports Club – Lee has been a driving force for sport in the village of Snitterfield for many years. Twenty years ago he led a project to turn a cow field into a cricket field. He has raised funds for an all-weather wicket, and has also coached youngsters for many years.
He has also worked closely with Barford and Norton Lindsey cricket clubs. The three clubs share players and all play their home games at Snitterfield.
Lee has been a director and trustee for Snitterfield Sports Club for over 15 years, and has been a key member of a small group which has put together a redevelopment proposal for the sports club.
Zoe Rossborough – CMKA Karate – Zoe teaches karate to children from three-years-old up to adults. She set up CMKA Karate, a family club, which now has more than 250 members.
Zoe’s dedication and commitment has taken the club to national tournaments, and she regularly promotes the positive aspects of the sport while inspiring people of all ages to get involved.
Many students within the organisation have special needs, from ADHD to autism, and the club recently won Stratford upon Avon’s ‘Best Martial Arts Club 2017’.
