Volunteers’ Week – England Athletics Award winner focus Andy Brooks
Andy Brooks, winner of the England Athletics Volunteer Awards ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for the East Midlands Region in 2017.
Find out more about Andy and how you can nominate in a range of categories including Club of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year and more.
Whether it is a club, coach, official, volunteer, project that supports individuals to overcome barriers to participation you can nominate NOW for the England Athletics Volunteer Awards 2018 at https://www.eavolunteerawards.co.uk.
To celebrate Volunteers’ Week from 1-7 June we will be giving away five pairs of tickets to the Manchester International people who nominate their worthy volunteers! Nominate now to be entered into the draw!
Andy Brooks
Having taken his Coaching Assistant very recently, and immediately took on the regular responsibilities with Shelton Striders’ largest group of runners. His passion for excellence sees him regularly devising and leading varied, beneficial sessions, focussing on key areas for new and developing runners. He also introduced theory sessions to give members a broader understanding of how to improve and maintain good condition.
He elevated a club run to an open 10-mile trail event and fun run, which sold out in its second year and generated wonderful feedback from all participants. An England Athletics Mental Health Ambassador, he now organises this event in collaboration with Derbyshire Mind and uses it to raise additional funds for that charity, plus organises #RunAndTalk events.
He also introduced a new trail relay event to encourage newer and shorter distance runners to get out and appreciate the South Derbyshire countryside. Furthermore, he has organised numerous club events encouraging members to get out into the Peak District and run together (at the pace of the slowest). He was instrumental in establishing the club’s new Couch to 5K programme and encouraging others to volunteer as Leaders in Running Fitness to support the programme.
Andy’s nomination said, “Andy has always been a well-respected, inspirational runner within Shelton Striders, but in the last 18 months has developed himself into a volunteer of the highest order! He is always striving to support all our runners, spread his love for running in the Derbyshire countryside by making it more accessible and emphasising the mental health benefits of running.”
Since his win last year, Andy has continued to demonstrate his passion for excellence, attending many local and National conference events, and has also taken his Level 1 Officiating course! Shelton Striders continues to grow and thrive; they have a dedicated page on their website, outlining who the four Mental Health Ambassadors are, and there is a place for everyone in their club.