By Peter Kitchen
The unsung heroes of south Shropshire sport have been praised for their contribution to community life.
Days, months and years spent working behind the scenes so others can enjoy their leisure hours were recognised with the annoucement of the region’s annual Sports and Leisure Awards.
A panel of 11 helped select a shortlist and the winners of the awards, with people from sports such as tennis, swimming, netball, judo, cricket and hockey all recognised for their efforts.
Bill Evans, a groundsman at Cleobury Mortimer Cricket Club who has been involved with football and cricket in the town for more than 50 years, has won the Volunteer of the Year Award. Roger Furniss of Ludlow Hockey Club came second with Chris Piper of Ludlow Castle Tennis Club taking third.
Colin Dodd of Ludlow Judo Club, who helped attract Russian world champion and Olympic silver medallist Vitaly Makarov to take a coaching day in the town in February, has been named Coach of the Year for the second time in three years. Roger Houston of Church Stretton Judo Club was second and Mel Lewis of South Shropshire Hotshots Netball Club came third.
Due to the lack of an outstanding showing on the national stage during the year, the Team of the Year trophy was not presented. The awards will be presented on June 18 at a ceremony at Ludlow Football Club.
Mr Evans, 65, first got involved with sport in Cleobury Mortimer as a schoolboy in the 1950s and has represented the town at football and cricket and prepares the cricket club square.
He also helps, with his wife Barbara, to arrange social events for young club members including Twenty-20 competitions and barbecues.
He said: “It was a very pleasant surprise to hear I had won and it’s nice to know people around the club appreciate me.” Mr Dodd, whose daughter Kayleigh has been a junior judo international, has been behind a funding bid to build a purpose built judo facility in Ludlow and has helped club members achieve World Class Start status and attract Talented Performer grants.
He said her felt ‘very honoured’ to win the award and praised fellow members for their contribution to the club.
Further announcements are expected in the next few weeks from the South Shropshire Sports and Leisure Advisory Group, with ten athletes set to be awarded places on the Olympic Role Model initiative in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics.
Three new awards are also being introduced to recognise leadership and volunteering among students at primary and secondary schools and sixth form colleges. These include play leader of the year, young leader of the year and community leader of the year.
David Hinves, SSDC Leisure Development Manager, said: “These unsung heroes and heroines are vital to the life blood of community sports and leisure clubs in south Shropshire and it is vital their contribution is valued.”