When Richard Bonehill joined Truro Fencing Club in 1987 membership had fallen to 4 regular fencers. The current membership stands at well over 100. Firstly as a Club Member, then Assistant Coach and finally Senior Coach, Richard has been the inspiration which has enabled the Club to become one of the most highly respected and successful Fencing Clubs in the United Kingdom.
In 2006 12 Club Members represented their country at international level. Richard’s organisational abilities and unflinching dedication have produced a string of successful international fencers in all three weapons. In 2005/06 Richard trained fifteen coaches to obtain their Assistant Coaches Qualification.
Richard’s infectious enthusiasm is a constant inspiration to every member of the Club and in 2006, with leading Members of the Club, he launched “TFC Gold”, an organisation to create a purpose built fencing centre, which will enable the youth of Cornwall to realise their own personal goals and dreams. British Fencing is delighted that Richard’s contribution to fencing in Cornwall has been recognised.
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Janet has been a volunteer Leader with Girlguiding UK for over 23 years, working with Brownies (7-10 years), Guides (10-14 years) and Senior Section (14-25 years), as well as being the County Water Activities Adviser for a total of 15 years.
More than 20 years ago Janet qualified as a Kayaking Instructor and went on to become a Coach. The majority of her Canoeing is undertaken with Girlguiding UK and The Scout Association and Janet runs numerous courses for both children and adults, as well as coaching adults from beginners through to Level 2 Coach so that they can share their skills with more children.
As the County Water Activities Adviser, Janet has given thousands of girls, young women and leaders the opportunity to experience water activities for the first time. She regularly plans, organises and runs water days including canoeing and kayaking for up to 300 girls at local venues, as well as organising training sessions for Leaders so that they can gain their British Canoe Union Awards. Janet is totally dedicated to her sport and, as a volunteer in Water Sports, she has played and continues to play a very significant role in providing the opportunity for girls and young women to participate in these water bases sports. Janet’s nominating body describe her as a true unsung hero!
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Jenifer has been involved with Lacrosse Scotland for over thirty years, both as a player and administrator.
As Honorary Secretary, Jenifer has organised and attended hundreds of meetings, whilst ensuring that communication, both nationally and internationally, is of the highest standard. In addition, Jenifer has organised the Home International Matches for many years and attended several International Conferences on behalf of Lacrosse Scotland. Somehow Jenifer also found the time to manage the Under 19 Women’s Lacrosse Team at the World Championships in 1999.
Perhaps Jenifer’s voluntary contribution to Lacrosse is best summed up by the fact that the shirts of all the National Squads were kept at Jenifer’s home and she insisted on washing and sorting them all herself.
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Robert “Basil” Dawkins set up Moberly Judo Club in Kilburn, West London in 1997, and it is now considered to be one of the best Junior Clubs in Great Britain, with many of the children Basil coaches coming from what could be described as ‘difficult’ backgrounds. Many cannot afford the fees so Basil puts his hand in his own pocket to ensure the children continue with the Classes. Basil has become a father figure and a mentor to the children and he has done all this whilst holding down a full time job and having a young family himself.
Moberly Judo Club embraces children from an entire spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds. Its members include boys and girls and young men and women from deprived backgrounds as well as those from more affluent backgrounds, across all ethnicities and Basil ensures the Club facilitates and encourages all to come together.
Players who Basil has coached have achieved considerable national and international success, including most recently European Cadet Silver Medallist Sinead Rothwell in the 2006 Junior World Championships in the Dominican Republic.
Each year The Premier League identify one Recipient to receive a Torch Trophy Trust Award sponsored by The Premier League and this year they have selected Basil as an outstanding individual who gives so much of his time on a voluntary basis to provide the opportunity for young people in an inner city area to participate in their chosen sport.
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In June 2007 Desi Dillingham retired as the Chair of British Dressage, the body representing the Dressage and Para-equestrian disciplines. She served in this role for 10 years, taking the newly formed organisation, with her Board of Directors, from its birth to one with its individual membership base doubled to 12,000, plus a doubling of the available competition and ensuring it had a solid financial base. Her sport now stands on equal terms with the two other Olympic disciplines of Eventing and Show Jumping.
In her time as Chair, Desi has overseen the complete integration of the Para-equestrian sport into British Dressage, as evidenced by outstanding results at the Paralympic Games in Sydney and Athens. In Athens our riders won 5 Gold and 3 Bronze medals.
However, Desi’s particular forte is in organising fundraising events, to assist those not able to make their own way in the sport, without which we would not have seen the successes that have been achieved in recent years. The BEF describe Desi as ‘larger than life, a natural leader, who makes things happen whilst not forgetting those less able than others’. She has brought dynamism, faith and commitment to her sporting discipline and to the wider Equestrian world.
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Iain Shaw, Regional Director of Scottish Squash, first came to know Ken Gibbs in 1968, 39 years ago, when he was a member of Bellahouston Squash Club. At that time Ken was providing coaching to the new members of the Club.
Subsequently, he moved to Newlands Tennis and Squash Club, where he continues as a member to this day. Ken has enthusiastically provided coaching to the junior members of the Club since becoming a member and has devoted many, many hours of his time and energy on a voluntary basis.
Although Ken was unable to compete at a higher level in squash due to injury, he did not lose any of his enthusiasm for the game and, in addition to his coaching, he undertook refereeing/marking duties, also on a voluntary basis. In this connection Ken has provided these services across the world as a Grade 1 Referee. Some 50 years after he first became involved in Squash on a voluntary basis, Ken continues to serve the sport with as much interest and enthusiasm as he did all those years ago.
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For many years Ronnie held a full time position within the Merseyside Youth Association, as a Sports Development Officer, with a brief to develop a comprehensive programme of sports and activities for young people within the affiliated youth clubs across the City. However, for more than 40 years Ronnie has also given most of his spare time voluntarily, particularly in his local community of Speke, assisting others at many different levels to provide opportunities for the young and the community at large.
Highlights of Ronnie’s early volunteering career saw the development of football leagues and also runs and races for all ages and abilities. Amongst other events, he created the Aintree Fun Run and the Liverpool half marathon, plus small community programmes through schools and youth clubs. Community sports days, swimming galas and festivals are Ronnie’s forté and his enthusiasm always ensures he has the many volunteers and helpers he needs to make these events work.
Many young people in Liverpool owe a life changing experience to the dedication of Ronnie. He has opened doors to participation through many sporting opportunities, not focussing on just one and has created pathways to ensure those with potential have been able to access appropriate routes for development. Although Ronnie retired some 3 years ago, Ronnie continues to volunteer on a full time basis and his enthusiasm and dedication ensure that hundreds of young people are able to take advantage of healthy pursuits.
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Douglas first became involved with volunteering in 1947 when he was a founder member and Secretary of Shaw Cross Boys Club, a position he holds to this day! Douglas is also a Life Member of the Heavy Woollen District League and a founder member of the Yorkshire Junior Amateur Rugby League. He was joint BARLA Manager of the first youth tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1977 and pioneered the Yorkshire Boys French Exchange, which started in 1970 and is still continuing to this day.
Douglas is well respected in Shaw Cross and in the rugby fraternity everyone knows him. He is known by all the children at Shaw Cross, which has teams from Under-8’s to Under-18 plus two Open Age sides. Douglas looks after the Youth and Open Age Teams. Just to run the Youth Section at his age is a remarkable achievement.
This year is the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Shaw Cross Club and Douglas has worked voluntarily on behalf of the Club through these 60 years – another remarkable achievement!
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Peter’s involvement in rugby for many years has encompassed local, national and international levels, serving his Club, County and Country as a volunteer administrator and match official. Indeed, he has trodden the turf of most rugby clubs and many schools in Lancashire over the years.
Nearly 20 years ago Peter was invited to serve on the England Rugby Football Schools Union Committee, where he holds a unique position as the only non-school teacher to chair a Standing Committee. His many talents were quickly recognised and he became involved in numerous working parties which controlled the Schools’ game in England. In 2000 the Schools Union was restructured and Peter was unanimously elected to lead the new Committee and given a place on the Executive Committee. With his excellent organisational skills and enthusiasm, the care and safety of all players of all ages and aptitudes was ensured and was at the forefront of the Union’s programmes. In 2002 Peter played a very active role recruiting, training and organising volunteers to work at the Rugby Sevens during the Manchester Commonwealth Games
In recent years Peter saw the need for the Union to expand its horizons and embrace the changing world of rugby and has devoted much time not only to the traditional rugby schools, but also to assisting the development of the North-West’s emerging schools rugby programme, not least recruiting a female representative to his Committee! The RFU was delighted to have the opportunity to nominate him.
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Mandy began her voluntary work in swimming as a Swimming Teacher at Rykneld Swimming Club and, over a 5 year period must have been responsible for teaching more than 1,000 children and adults to swim. With her keen interest in swimming, Mandy progressed to the role of an official and took her timekeepers, judges, starters and referees exams, acting as an official at local galas, county events and national competitions.
Apart from teaching swimming and officiating at galas, Mandy has sat on numerous Committees at local and national level, as well as officiating at many international events in the United Kingdom.
Thirty Six years after first becoming a volunteer in swimming Mandy continues to help in whatever way she can and the ASA were pleased to have the opportunity to nominate her in recognition of her never ending enthusiasm for the sport and the many thousands of hours she has given freely to help both novice and international swimmers alike.
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Dick has been an outstanding volunteer for over 50 years. He was a founder member of Polo Farm Sports Club, which includes hockey, tennis and cricket sections, and the Canterbury Hockey Club is part of the parent organisation. Dick was successful in identifying the site on which the Sport Club complex now stands and has been President of the Club since 1993.
Dick first played for Canterbury Hockey Club in 1957, was elected to their Committee in 1958 and has been a member ever since. He was first team captain in 1962, a role he retained for 7 years, was elected Vice-Chairman in 1970-71, Chairman in 1977-78 when he began the search for their new ground, culminating in the move to Polo Farm Sports Club in the early 1990’s. Dick has also been closely involved with Kent County Hockey, representing Canterbury on their Committee for over 30 years and being President of the County Association in 1989/90.
Canterbury Hockey Club has some of the best facilities anywhere in the country and regularly hosts major national and international events in co-operation with England Hockey, as well as being an outstanding national Club. England Hockey says “Dick is almost unique in volunteering terms – that rare selfless individual who has spent his life serving others in a cause he is passionate about.
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Clive first opened Saltburn Gymnastic Club in 1973 and today, 35 years later, he remains the Senior Coach, coaching gymnasts of all ages four times a week at the Saltburn Leisure Centre. His enthusiasm for gymnastics began as a young man in the armed forces. When Clive married and had children they wanted to try gymnastics and he took coaching courses to enable him to start his own Club. His children are still involved in the Club, as are his grandchildren. The Club has always been based at the Leisure Centre and for 30 years Clive and his coaches have created a safe and child friendly gymnastic facility in a public sports hall, lifting, carrying and setting out equipment, including a full floor area, vaulting platform, bars and beams – four times a week.
Clive has not coached at the highest levels of international gymnastics but has always been a strong support to the organisation and management of regional gymnastics, holding a number of roles on Regional Committees. He has also tutored many coaching courses to support the development of coaches in his own Club and throughout the Northern region.
After more than 30 years Clive coaches as actively and wholeheartedly today as he did in 1973, all of it in a totally voluntary capacity. His reward is the pleasure he gains from seeing young people grow and develop their skills and confidence through the challenges that gymnastics provides. He wants them all to experience that wonderful sense of achievement that comes with ‘doing your best’ and ‘taking part’.
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Vibert has been part of Springfield Young Peoples Club in Hackney, man and boy. Springfield is situated in a particularly disadvantaged area of London, where unemployment is high and young people are increasingly at risk from high levels of crime and violence. The young people themselves can be difficult to deal with, often coming from broken homes and being exposed, from a young age, to a world of drugs and violence and lacking reliable and suitable role-models.
Vibert attended the Springfield Club as a youth and then became a volunteer. He moved on to become a Junior Leader and then Senior Leader and now is not only a volunteer but also Vice-Chair of the Springfield Board and a Member of the Management Committee. Vibert is also active in local community football initiatives, such as Hackney Football Partnership, where he is Chairman and works with a team of volunteers who aim to get young people involved with football, but also to develop them so that they can go on as volunteers in their communities.
For many years Vibert has worked at the heart of his community as a Teacher in a local Secondary School, while carrying out his voluntary work. In an uncertain world for many of the youngsters Vibert has been a rock upon which they can depend, being there for them at the club in the evenings, week in, week out, for the last 25 years. He has given his time to run not only the normal club activities, but also weekend residential events. His tireless work and good humour has been a major influence and motivation for the many young people who have come into contact with him.
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When Leeds & Broomfield Cricket Club (LBCC) began to decline, Bob responded by developing the Youth Section and, with guidance from the Kent Cricket Board, he started the juniors at Harrietsham in 1999. The juniors soon outgrew Harrietsham and the Club transferred to LBCC in 2004 and, through Bob’s efforts, achieved ClubMark and became a Focus Club.
He is a brilliant administrator, understands child welfare and loves to see children playing cricket. However, as well as the background work, Bob and his extended family can be found at the Club every Sunday morning, collecting money, organising the registration forms, preparing refreshments, talking to parents, etc. As he is also the Club Treasurer and Web-Site Manager, Bob is as busy in the winter months.
Bob has, single handedly, designed and managed the Monitoring System that records all Key Performance data for the ECB project ‘Chance to Shine’. More than 200 Clubs are now delivering on the programme and Bob has offered his support on a voluntary basis should it be needed. Bob has never asked for anything in return and is indeed an outstanding volunteer.
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Ken has been an active member of Buckhurst Hill Junior F.C. sine 1995, initially as a parent watching his son train and play at the Club, but gradually becoming increasingly involved as Assistant Manager to the team in 1997, after which they won their League in season 1997/1998. Ken’s constant enthusiasm and dedication came to fruition when he was voted in as Chairman of the Club in 2000, when he was determined to make the Club one of the best in Essex.
Shortly after his election the Club faced closure as a result of an arson attack on the ground. Ken immediately embarked on the enormous task of rebuilding and restructuring the Club by designating a significant amount of time and work to raise £500,000 from various Grants, Authorities and Foundations, to enable them to purchase the land and build a new Clubhouse. Thanks to Ken the Club is now recognised by the FA Charter Standard and has a gold accreditation given by The Essex Sports Clubs.
The Club has grown from strength to strength, with a membership of over 230 from ages 6 to 18, plus two senior teams. He is now a Level 2 Coach and Manager of the Under 10s. Apart from his involvement in the training and development of the players, Ken can also be found contributing as Groundsman, refereeing other local matches, sitting on various management and fundraising committees and being the Club’s Child Welfare Officer - a truly committed volunteer in every sense.
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Ken’s earliest cycling experience was as a 3 year old boy in the streets of Hornsey. Evacuated to Scotland and then Devon during World War II, whilst a schoolboy, he rode from his Plymouth Boarding School to Totnes and Newton Abbot and back one summers day and found himself in hot water for not returning before 9 p.m!
In 1950 Ken joined Torbay CTC to continue his love of long distance cycling. Whilst stationed at RAF Compton Bassett he often cycled home to Devon at weekends – 110 miles each way. Competing every year since 1950, Ken completed the Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers 50 mile time trial in 2 hours 20 minutes.
Over the years Ken has undertaken numerous administrative roles and is currently General Secretary of the British Cycling South West Region, covering Devon, Cornwall and Somerset , and Secretary of the South West District for Cycling Time Trials. Both these roles involve a considerable amount of liaison with other bodies in order to ensure the smooth running of the various events. Apart from this Ken takes an active part in the running of his own Club, having held a variety of positions from Sunday Club Run Leader to Media Secretary to Chair. In the last 5 years Ken has also participated in the Newton area cycling group, which promotes cycling as a healthy leisure activity rather than just as a sport.
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Jim has been the GB Marathon Team Manager for over 35 years but has now decided to retire from this post. Jim was one of the main instigators of the current International Marathon programme and it is generally considered that Marathon Canoeing would not be the same today without his contribution to the original meetings that took place in the mid-1970’s.
Jim took over the role of GB Marathon Team Manager in 1972, having been elected to the Marathon Committee a couple of years earlier. Previously, there was limited co-ordination and little or no funding. Jim changed all that and created a structure which co-ordinated entries, transport selection and the various other elements that are taken for granted today. The outcome was to lift the GB Team to the top of the international Marathon scene, which was in no small part due to Jim’s activities and enthusiasm.
He has been an active competitor, an active club member for the Wey Kayak Club and recently was the driving force for their magnificent new clubhouse. In addition, Jim has been an active member of his Regional Committee and has served continuously on the BCU Marathon Committee for even longer than he has been Team Manager. The effects of his activities in canoeing over the years will benefit the sport for many years to come – he is indeed a Marathon Volunteer.
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Donald first became involved with Peebles RFC in 1947, as a player, and became Secretary in 1948. He continued as a player and administrator through the 1950’s and early 1960’s and, when his playing days came to an end, he occasionally stepped in as a Referee at lower levels, to ensure that a game could be played. He was also heavily involved in the fundraising when the Pavilion in Hay Lodge Park at Peebles was constructed in the 1960’s.
Always the worker, Saturday afternoons saw Donald setting out flags, preparing oranges and balls for the game and, after everyone had left, sweeping out the changing rooms and washing the balls after the game. The Club progressed to having its own clubrooms and Donald was again to the fore in providing his services and advice. After a short spell in Aberdeenshire due to his employment, when he is reputed to have played his last game at the young age of 51 for Huntly FC, Donald returned to Peebles and it was as if he had never been away.
As Donald approaches his Diamond Jubilee with Peebles RFC he is as involved as ever, having in recent years become the club’s official cameraman videoing the first XV games to assist with coach analysis, in addition to his work as Treasurer and fundraiser after matches. Donald also walks 7 or 8 miles every Wednesday, as well as swimming 5 days a week - an excellent example to us all at the age of 81!
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Bryan was nominated for a Torch Trophy Trust Award by The Tennis Foundation in recognition of his long and outstanding contribution to tennis for the deaf. Bryan has played tennis for much of his life and has represented Great Britain in national and international competitions. He first became involved as a volunteer when he was still competing and, as a volunteer, has undertaken a number of different roles for over 30 years, including acting as Captain, Coach and Manager of the Teams.
A founder member of the British Deaf Tennis Association, set up to encourage more deaf young people to participate in tennis, Bryan has been President of the Association for 10 years. He lectures at TF/LTA Disabled Awareness Courses for Tennis Coaches and is an inspiring speaker.
Bryan has worked tirelessly over recent years to write a History of Deaf Tennis, the first International Competition having taken place in 1924. This has been a challenging task, but after all the hard work he has obtained Heritage Lottery funding in order to publish the History. Bryan’s contribution to tennis for the Deaf is incalculable and he richly deserves the recognition of an Award for more than 30 years voluntary service to the welfare of deaf tennis players.
One of the Trust’s annual Awards is dedicated to the memory of the late Rt.Hon. Lord Aberdare, a founder member of the Trust. The Trustees were delighted to identify Bryan in this connection, knowing the strong ties that Lord Aberdare had with Tennis over many years.
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Brian joined the Dorset County FA Council in 1953, representing Dorset Schools and season 2007-08 will see him achieving 55 years of continuous service on the Council.
Brian served in the RAF during the Second World War, after which he trained as a School Teacher, returning to Dorset to take up the position of Master in charge of football at a School in Weymouth in 1949, a position he held until 1957 when he moved to another School in Weymouth, shortly to become Second Deputy Head, until retirement in July 1985, when he was awarded the MBE for services to Education.
Brian has held numerous positions during his 55 years service on the Dorset County FA Council. In the early years he was Secretary of the South Dorset Youth League and Treasurer of the County Youth Committee. Over the years many other roles have fallen to him, including the Chairmanship of numerous Committees, Chairman of the Council from 1977 to 1979 and President from 1996 to 1998. Brian was also a keen player in his earlier years and in 1949 also qualified as a Referee, officiating for a number of years following a successful playing career. A truly impressive record as a volunteer in sport.
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