Hertfordshire Service to Sports Awards celebrates achievements of local sports volunteers

PR Date: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 - 4:15pm

Four sports volunteers and one sports project in North Hertfordshire received recognition for their service to sports in the district at the Hertfordshire Service to Sports Awards on 19 November.

These popular awards, which were coordinated by the Herts Sports Partnership and took place at the University of Hertfordshire, are held to recognise the dedication and selfless efforts of volunteers, coaches and sports projects in Hertfordshire.

Award winners and runners up from the North Herts area included:

• Apprentice of the Year: 1st place – Amy Gooderham , Whitehill School, Hitchin: Amy supports the delivery of three hours of PE per week for pupils at Whitehill, has encouraged more girls to become involved in football at the school and has successfully worked with pupils with additional needs, helping them to get more involved in sport.
• Voluntary Community Project of the Year: 2nd place - Football for Fathers, Hitchin and Letchworth: A community football club playing weekly small sided games for the over 30’s, the club makes football accessible for those who can’t commit to regular training but enjoy the benefits of regular exercise and the team spirit the game brings.
• Service to Sport Award: Alison Cooper – Trisports, Letchworth: Alison set up Trisports running group in 2014. Since then the group has expanded quickly and her commitment, passion and enthusiasm for running has encouraged many to get involved in the sport, including those who have lost confidence in their abilities following illness. She has also introduced participants to yoga, swimming and cycling sessions that are run locally, all aimed at helping runners improve their stamina and technique.
• Parkrun Volunteer Awards : Runner up – Alex Stimpson, Letchworth Parkrun: Alex first got involved in Parkrun as part of his Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Since then he has volunteered over 40 times and is now a core volunteer at the Letchworth run.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Roger Bowler – Warren Spring Table Tennis Club, Great Wymondley: Roger has been club secretary for over 40 years at the table tennis club. Established in 1959, the club has had more than 120 players through the club doors over the years.

A panel of independent judges considered more than 130 nominations from clubs and individuals, and awards were made to over 50 volunteers in recognition of their massive contribution to sport in Hertfordshire.

Vaughan Watson, North Hertfordshire District Council’s (NHDC) Director for Place said: "NHDC is part of the Herts Sports Partnership and we are always hugely impressed with the sheer hard work and dedication that individuals and those working as part of a sports project, put into encouraging others to take part in sport in the district. The awards are a great opportunity to say thank you to those who volunteer their time to deliver this excellent work and to recognise their achievements for local sport. Congratulations to the winners and those who were nominated at this year’s Hertfordshire Service to Sports Awards."

Hertfordshire Sports Partnership (HSP) Director, John O’Callaghan said: "The event was testament to the large army of volunteers from across the county who give their time so selflessly, in order that the rest of us can enjoy our sport and physical activity. We are very fortunate to have such a vibrant community and school sport and physical activity offer in Hertfordshire, and much of that would not be possible without their efforts.

"The evening was a salutary reminder of just how much time and effort they put in – often over a lifetime – to not only help produce the champions and sporting role models of the future, but in raising the aspirations and life chances of our young people, and in making our communities safer and better places to live and work. All in all, the evening was a truly humbling experience, and I am delighted that HSP continues to organise this fantastic annual event."

For more information about the work of the Herts Sports Partnership visit: www.sportinherts.org.uk