National Volunteer Awards 2025
Saturday evening saw England Athletics celebrate the winners of the 2025 National Volunteer Awards. It has been an important feature of England Athletics activity for over a decade and is the culmination of our volunteer award programme as we recognise our national winners every 12 months after successes have been celebrated at Regional Award evenings.
CEO Chris Jones commented:
"Without the work of our volunteers we're pretty much stuffed! They support 180,000 registered athletes. There's something in our sport for everyone; our sport also combats loneliness, creates communities, and promotes good physical and mental wellbeing. I thank and applaud everyone who has been involved in making the sport happen."
Chris handed over to Hannah England to host the evening and interviewed each winner, plus some informal chats during the food with athletes Will Barnicoat, Maddie Down and Will Ives who shared some of their athletics highlights. A raffle raised over £700 for the Personal Best Foundation.
Our winners
- Club Volunteer of the Year: Keith Palmer (East)
- Newcomer to Volunteering: Lee Westwood (East Midlands)
- Coach of the Year: Fran Blackett (North East)
- Community Project of the Year: Crossgates Harriers (Yorkshire & Humberside)
- Club of the Year: Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies (London)
- Inspiring Official of the Year: Paul Wood (South East)
- Services to Athletics and Running: Neil Costello (East)
Club Volunteer of the Year: Keith Palmer
Keith has been a cornerstone of City of Southend On Sea AC for over 30 years, serving as Chairman, Treasurer, coach, and athlete. He founded the Junior Academy, now with over 160 members, inspiring young athletes and volunteers alike.
"I absolutely love athletics, I have been a member and competitor for 50 years and not missed a single match. I want to inspire the youngsters to love it too."
His enthusiasm fuels weekly sessions, and his generosity - donating a PA system and funding club shirts - has enriched the club experience. Keith led fundraising for a spectator stand and annually organises the popular Open Championships, welcoming athletes of all ages. His dedication, leadership, and passion for inclusivity make him a true club legend and an inspiring force in grassroots athletics.
Newcomer to Volunteering: Lee Westwood
Lee is the quiet force behind Mansfield Harriers and AC, volunteering tirelessly in many unofficial roles. The club manages the track facility and is responsible for all maintenance, so as a former army member and demolition contractor, he brings vital skills - repairing facilities, laying concrete, and helping retain Trackmark Accreditation.
"I noticed that the club my daughter had joined were struggling for volunteers so I starterd helping and do my bit and it just went on from there."
Lee supports every home fixture, arriving early, staying late, and handling the heavy lifting. His generosity with time and effort is unmatched, and he’s inspired his daughters to volunteer too, one now serving on the committee. His favourite part of the many roles he undertakes?
"Setting up the cross country is my favourite - I love seeing everyone smiling and getting involved even in all weathers."
Lee’s reliability, humility, and hands-on support make him indispensable. He’s the kind of volunteer every club dreams of - modest, committed, and absolutely essential to its success.
Coach of the Year: Fran Blackett
Fran Blackett has transformed Durham Fell Runners by making fell running accessible and welcoming to women.
She took her coaching qualifications and started the ball rolling. Through her leadership, female membership has soared, with regular women’s sessions, navigation coaching, and a supportive, inclusive atmosphere.
"During a long run I wondered about setting up a women's only night and that's now grown into the most incredible women's community."
Fran’s dedication goes beyond coaching - she inspires confidence, encourages new leaders, and fosters a sense of community. Her passion, expertise, and encouragement have empowered many to take on new challenges, both on and off the fells. Fran’s impact is clear: she’s created a thriving, balanced club where everyone feels they belong.
Her ethos? "See it to do it is such a huge thing so we can be the face of that."
Read more about Fran | Read our case study on Fran
Community Project of the Year: Crossgates Harriers
Crossgates Harriers have shown what true community spirit looks like. From food drives and toy appeals to restoring the long-neglected Temple Newsam running track, their impact has been extraordinary.
"Everything we wanted to do as a club we had a great turnout and after each task was done people would be asking what's next? And that's what happened with this old running track. We weeded and edged it a lane at a time."
And it just kept going; through volunteer days, fundraising, and collaboration with local clubs and the Council, they’ve transformed the only free running track in Leeds into a safe, welcoming space for all. Their efforts have united schools, families, and runners of every level.
Read more about Crossgates Harriers | Read more about our Temple Newsam track case study
Club of the Year: Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies
Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies has demonstrated outstanding achievement across every facet of club life. From Olympic-level athletes to thriving grassroots programmes, their success spans performance, coaching, officiating, and community engagement.
With tailored training, inclusive initiatives like WASPS, and a welcoming culture, the club nurtures talent of all ages and abilities. Club throws coach Paul Cheal explained how they have countered teenage dropout:
"We explored the idea of Young Athlete Helpers and we got them a t shirt with their name on, a whistle or stopwatch and since then we've had 50 to 60 teenagers helping with the U11 WASPS."
The Club's commitment to development is clear; achieving all seven club standards, expanding volunteer involvement, and launching innovative schemes like kit recycling and scholarships. Chair David Hollingworth told us why he thinks the Club is so popular:
"The key ingredient is the friendliness and the supportive nature of the individuals in the club. We have a fantastic club spirit with the athletes and my volinteeerinf colleagues here tonight and many others who do fantastic work."
Read more about Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies | Read our full interview with the club
Inspiring Official of the Year: Paul Wood
Paul Wood is a true pillar of the road running community. With over 35 years of service, Paul has officiated, measured, adjudicated and mentored across hundreds of events, including the London Marathon and over 950 licensed races in 2025 alone. His leadership, from chairing BARR and the SE licensing panel to co-authoring the EA Race Directors Handbook, has raised standards nationwide.
"Bill Reynolds inspired me to go into officiating, to join BARR [British Association of Road Races - the standards setting body for Road and Multi Terrain Events] and it snowballed from there."
Paul’s 'can do' approach brought back safe, licensed club relays after a five-year break, and his tireless dedication continues to shape the future of our sport.
"Our officials and events are the best in the world. The volunteers just make it - it's about giving back to the sport we love and I love giving back and inspiring people to take my job in the future."
A full-time volunteer, and a full-time inspiration.
Services to Athletics and Running: Neil Costello
Neil has dedicated over six decades to athletics - evolving into a pillar of Cambridge and Coleridge AC. His legacy spans coaching, officiating, and leadership. Nationally, Neil has held roles with England Athletics and UK Athletics, and locally, he was instrumental in establishing the Wilberforce Road track and Cambourne 10k, raising £100,000 for charity.
"If we get everybody into the club then we'll naturally get the top people. But the thing that I managed to get the club to do was celebrate everybody - the winning road relay team and the 40 minute parkrunners.
His work with disability athletics has broken barriers, including introducing disability races to the Varsity match. Neil’s tireless, humble service has shaped the club’s culture and inspired countless athletes and volunteers.
"I have always been passionate about inclusivity - it's the absolute fundamental thing about any sport. The important thing is to get people into clubs, whoever they are."
He believes disabled athletes are no different, they just have more obstructions in their way. So for them to take part can be more special.
Athletics is wonderful for different people because we have so many different events. And for me - the reason I do it is to allow everyone to feel fulfilmen. And I get a real buzz out of it!
Other awards presented during the evening
The National Athletics League winning club - Harrow AC - was presented with their trophy by NAL Chair Len Steers. In addition, the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund athletes of the year were also recognised and two Bursary Funds awarded. Also in attendance were athletes Will Barnicoat, Maddie Down and Will Ives who shared some of their athletics highlights during informal interviews with host Hannah England.
Bursary Awards
- Dave Sunderland Coaching Bursary Award: Gavin Pavey (presented to Hayley Hemmings in Gavin's absence)
- Lloyd Cowan Bursary Award: Anita Richardson (presented by Karen Forbes, Trustee for the Lloyd Cowan Trust)
Ron Pickering Memorial Fund - athletes of the year
- U23 Athlete of the Year winner: Emily Newnham
- U20 Athlete of the Year: Charlotte Henrich
- U18 Athlete of the Year: Rafferty Mirfin
England Athletics Chair Gary Shaughnessy CBE closed the evening with some inspiring word
"A huge thank you to all the volunteers! I can see the joy you get from delivering opportunities and giving people the chance to believe in their potential. "