East Midlands Volunteer Award winners 2016

The England Athletics East Midlands regional volunteer award winners were presented with their awards recently.

Club of the Year: Buxton Athletics Club

Buxton AC offers quality, progressive, coaching and support to a full range of athletes across a diverse and inclusive range of social settings and special needs. Inclusive participation is increased through a focus on developing volunteers, leaders and coaches; this year they funded training for 2 licensed Guide Runners and 2 Fell Running coaches, joining our team of 7 qualified coaches.

Commitment to improving performance has resulted in outstanding results across the board including team performances in English Fell Championships, County level Cross Country and Track, and individuals competing at local, National and International levels. 24 Club records were broken this year, at all levels up to V70! Strong community partnerships include after-school clubs, satellite Fell Club, partnership working with other sports clubs and a free monthly 5k event that raises funds for both Local and National charities

Their Target 5k initiative is aimed at those taking their first step into running. This group has brought 84 new members to the club increasing our overall membership by 33% with 85% of the group being females, and many members having poor body image and self-esteem issues.

Their commitment to development, inclusion and progression culminated this year in their successful application for Clubmark.

Coach of the Year: Stuart Colledge

Stuart Colledge joined Newark in 2000 as middle/long distance coach. He became head coach during 2013 and was coach co-ordinator for several years. Stuart started coaching in 1979 whilst recovering from a long-term injury, looking after younger athletes. He enjoyed it so much that, when he was fit again, he continued to coach and has coached athletes of all age groups. A number of the younger athletes that Stuart has coached have gone on to gain international vests in later life, he has also helped some gain international honours at junior and vet levels.

Stuart is an extremely popular coach. He is well thought of and respected and turns out rain or shine for one or 1 or 100 members. He delivers training 3 nights a week and will attend as many weekend events as possible, sometimes two on the same day.

He promotes good health and well being, from designing handouts for warm up and cool down, researching exercises to support athletes with injuries or to improve their performance and designing specific training schedules tailored to events and for specific athletes.

Official of the Year: Gareth Bagguley

Gareth Bagguley's passion is athletics; he's officiated in all forms of athletics: outdoor and indoor track and field events, road and cross country, over the last twenty years. This has ranged from local grass roots level events, through to County and regional championships up to national and international events - travelling the length of the country from London to Glasgow. Highlights have included being part of the call room team at the 2012 Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games in 2014. He is encouraging and supportive of parents who want to get involved in officiating and happy to share his knowledge and insight.

In addition, he is on the Committee for the Newark Half Marathon, Chairman of Notts AAA Officials' Committee, President of Notts Athletic Association plus Committee member and now President of Newark Athletic Club.

The award was collected on his behalf.

Services to Athletics: Frank Gorman

Frank has been involved with the Club since 1979 and is still going strong at the age of 79. After initially attending with his son, Frank became Chairman for 22 years and Secretary since then. He has also acted as a coach, team manager, volunteer coordinator and press officer at various times.

Frank still attends twice-weekly training sessions to act as first point of contact for new members. He operated as a qualified Field Judge from 1984 to 2014, reaching the highest grade and attending major national meetings. Frank also acts as Meeting Manager for Club competitions and Announcer at other meetings such as schools or county events. He has and continues to act as a mentor to other officials and has organised officials' courses for the club and involved the local area by including the SSPs.

Away from the club Frank was Treasurer of National Junior Athletic League from 1980-85 and Meeting Manager for National Finals at different venues. Between 2002-12 Frank was a Divisional Secretary and then Chairman of Northern Track & Field League.

Run England Group of the Year: Susan Spence / Running Mate

Susan Spence started Running Mate in Wellingborough in September 2014. In less than 2 years, she has attracted over 350 people to her Wellingborough running group. Susan starts a new beginners' group up to 4 times a year to ensure new beginners are continually joining the group.

Susan has helped the Jog Northants/Run England programme grow by starting new groups in areas where we has no groups. Nominator First for Wellbeing had been trying to set up a group in Daventry for some time but had struggled to find a leader. So she started a group there - a 45 minute drive from her home - and on week 1, over 90 people attended. She has since started 3 more beginners' intake to ensure the group continues to grow.

She has encouraged 13 of her members from all 3 groups to attend the Assistant Jog Leaders Course and encouraged 2 of her members to complete the LiRF course. These two leaders have now set up a new group in Grange Park, South Northamptonshire which saw over 60 people attend on week 1.

Volunteer of the Year: Jasmine Teece

15-year-old Jasmine has volunteered with the Club as Coach for the Foundation group (new members being introduced to the sport) regularly for the past 3-4 years on a Tuesday and Thursday. She leads the warm-up and cool down at the start and end of Coaching sessions. She is a Team Manager for the Club's Mini League teams in Sports Hall, Cross Country and Track & Field and has been a Team manager for the YDL Lower Age Group teams. She has occasionally officiated in several disciplines.

Jasmine has volunteered to represent the Club at a County (Young Athlete) selection meeting. She is willing to assist in any capacity within the Club in a cheerful, friendly and reliable manner. She has officiated in several disciplines although not often.

Jasmine has also been willing to collect fees from Foundation members and takes an active interest in Club activities. This has been completed while studying for GCSEs which she sits next year. She has been rewarded with a prize from her school in a volunteering capacity - the first time this has been awarded.