Last night 18 Volunteers were recognised for their outstanding dedication to sport in their local communities by the HRH the Countess of Wessex at the Torch Trophy Trust Awards at a ceremony at the Royal Army and Navy Club in London.
The awards are unique in celebrating the often thankless and unnoticed work of volunteers in sport at this very prestigious ceremony and exists to encourage, reward and recognise the 3 million people in the UK who give up their free time to volunteer in sport, in their local communities, every year – without whom sport simply wouldn’t be able to function
The Torch Trophy Trust is a charity that recognises and supports volunteers in sport and recreation and relies solely on donations from the public. Legacy has always been at the heart of the Trust’s ethos – founded after the 1948 London Olympics with the aim of inspiring and rewarding volunteers, the Trust still uses the 1948 Olympic torch as its symbol.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Torch Trophy Trust, Sir Bobby Charlton said “We have honoured these volunteers at the Torch Trophy Trust Awards because of their incredible contribution to our great sporting nation. These volunteers are experts in their own field and we are pleased to bring attention to their tireless work. Volunteering is more often than not a thankless task but we must remember that without volunteers grassroots sport simply wouldn’t be able to function. Giving their time means more than turning up on a Sunday morning – as praiseworthy and important as that too is.”
Award winners
Adrian Bishop from Gloucestershire – Nominated by the Rugby Football Union, Adrian is described as ‘in every sense what we think of as a club man’ at Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club.
Alan Gartside from Co Antrim – Nominated by the Northern Ireland Orienteers, Alan was one of the founders of orienteering in Northern Ireland and has been actively involved in all aspects of the development of the sport for over 40 years
Anne Holloway from Warwickshire – Nominated by British Blind Sport, if there was anybody who embodied the volunteer spirit that came out of the Paralympic Games of 2012, it’s Anne
Maurice Vaughan from Derbyshire – Nominated by the England and Wales Cricket Board, Maurice has been associated with Etwall Cricket Club for over 80 years
Deryck Irons from Bedfordshire – Nominated by the Football Association, there are few things that Deryck hasn’t done for his beloved Eynesbury Rovers Football Club since his father brought him along to the club in the 1950s
Dawn Woffard from Warwickshire – Nominated by the British Equestrian Federation, Dawn has been an invaluable part of The Pony Club for half a century
Paul Bovett from Somerset – Nominated by Table Tennis England, Paul has been an active and tireless coach and presence on the table tennis scene in Somerset for decades
John Mullis from Surrey – Nominated by Table Tennis England, John has been the Secretary of the Croydon Table Tennis League since 1985 and is also the Vice Chairman of the Surrey Table Tennis Association
Gill Jacob from Swansea – Nominated by Swim Wales, when people describe Gill’s service to swimming over the years, the consistent phrase you’ll hear about her efforts and service is “above and beyond.”
Di Charles from Hertfordshire – Nominated by Basketball England, Di has been part of Corvus Cornix basketball club’s DNA since the club’s inception in 1969.
Lee English from Nottinghamshire – Nominated by Basketball England, Lee is rightly revered in Nottingham and respected far further afield for his services to basketball
Mandy Parker from Yorkshire – Nominated by British Cycling, Mandy has been coaching as a parent with East Bradford Cycling Club for over ten years.
Judith Phelps from Shropshire – Nominated by the Rugby Football Union, Judith Phelps has played a vital role in ensuring the prosperity of Rugby Union in the North Midlands for over ten years
Macenzie Whittaker from Manchester – Nominated by the Premier League, Macenzie, while juggling his full-time studies he has contributed over 200 hours to his local community in the last 12 months.
Gordon McCormack from Glasglow – Nominated by Scottish Disability Sport, Gordon has volunteered for and been a huge servant to disability sport in Scotland for over 35 years
Mike Phillipson from Nottinghamshire – Nominated by the Tennis Foundation, Mike’s appreciation for the needs of world class athletes and his eye for detail have seen him become Head of Volunteers and a crucial member of the Tennis Foundation’s organisational network for both events.
Ray Gordon from Tyne and Ware – Nominated by the Amateur Swimming Association, a long standing board member of the ASA, Ray was fittingly elected President of the ASA during the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012
Caroline Spanton from Pontypridd – Nominated by Welsh Rowing, Caroline was at the forefront of significant changes and improvements to the organisation during her time as Chair
