Canoe England Volunteer Awards - winners announced
Presentations to the winners of Canoe England's first ever Volunteer Awards took place on Saturday June 7th 2008. The awards recognise and reward volunteers, officials and coaches who make outstanding contributions to Paddlesport and who often go unnoticed with very little thanks and praise.
Presentations took place at the National Watersports Centrre, Nottingham during the English Council ACM. British Canoe Union Vice Presidents, David Gent and Alan Laws, were on hand to present the awards to the winners.
Winners of the awards are listed below:
Female Volunteer Coach Esther Mathews, Greenstar Canoe Club, South Yorkshire
Level 3 coach, Esther Mathews from Doncaster, contributes so much for Paddlesport, blends into the background and never expects any thanks. Esther dedicates hours of volunteering every week for Green Star CC – in particular for young people and slalom.
Male Volunteer Coach Geoff Goulden, Poole Harbour Canoe Club
Level 2 Kayak and Racing coach, also volunteers in many different roles. “Geoff is a mainstay at Poole Harbour Canoe Club… and was key in arranging canoeing activity in 2007 for children from Chernobyl,” says fellow club member Tony Kirby.
Young Coach/Leader Helen Anthony, Gosport Scout Kayak
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At the age of 17, Helen Anthony has already been volunteering for 4 years. The level 2 coach passed her 1 and 2 star awards at the age of 11 and is fundamental to coaching in her area: “Everyone who comes into contact with her give her praise in her attitude to coaching,” explain her fellow club members.
Young Volunteer Sam Hargreaves, Staffordshire
Sam, aged 15, has been volunteering since he was 12 and is enthusiastically on hand to help where it’s needed – leading groups, loading trailers, sorting kits, designing leaflets, and planning trips and events. Sam’s confidence, skill, ability and sense of purpose have increased no end and has now found happiness through volunteering in Paddlesport, but also realised the rewards which can be gained: “He mentioned to me recently about a very disabled boy who smiled for the first time as Sam was towing him and his mum around in a canoe,” explains Sam’s mum.
Young Volunteer U15 Special Award: Sydney Storey, Royal Victoria Docks Centre, London
Sydney started volunteering at the age of 7 – some 6 years ago when her nan brought her to the centre. No matter what task she is given, Sydney is happy to take it on – from running taster sessions, to cleaning and maintenance. “She does every job with a smile, always giving 100% to the task in hand,” says friend, Suzanne Redford.
Official of the Year (joint winners) Brian Gandy, Baskingstoke Canal Club
Brian has been an official for over 17 years as well as chair of the marathon racing committee. Officiating has given him many years of enjoyment since his first day when he felt it was time to put something back into the sport: “Helping comes naturally to many parents but Brian continued even when his son didn’t need driving to races anymore,” says Liz Murnaghan.
Official of the Year (joint winners) Irene & David Osbourne, Mansfield, Nottingham
Irene and David have been officials for more than 30 years. This couple give up hours of their time every year to time events for slalom events. “Never seen by the competitors, their uninterrupted service to the sport for over 20 years has ensured a legacy of professionalism and trust in timing,” praises Andy Maddock, BCU.
Professional Community Coach Ruth Holdway, Stafford & Stone Canoe Club
Level 3 Kayak and Level 2 slalom and racing coach, Ruth Holdway is employed as a community sports coach for the region of Stafford & Stone and Trentham. Ruth consistently goes the extra mile and works over her contracted hours resulting in a tremendous impact on the young people she works with.
Professional Performance Coach Jurg Gotz, Nottingham
Level 3 slalom coach and BCU World Class coach, Jurg, leads the slalom Olympic programme towards Beijing 2008. “He is an inspiration to athletes and coaches around him. He works tirelessly and has a huge eye for detail. He coached Campbell Walsh to Olympic silver in 2004 and World Championship bronze in 2006 and 2007,” says his colleagues at the BCU.
Teacher of the Year Lee Menday, Royal Hospital School, Ipswich
As level 2 kayak and racing coach at the Royal Hospital School in Ipswich, Lee, coaches students and organises group paddle trips. As a paddler himself, his colleagues describe Lee as a “superb motivator, who connects very well with pupils and adults. He is very inspirational.” Lee has a below the knee amputation, and is far from limited by this – in fact it spurs him on. He is a dedicated and committed coach and teacher of Paddlesport.
Community Volunteer Keith Sunderland, Trentham Canoe Club, Staffs
As fellow coach, Ruth Holdway, states: “Keith mustn’t have a minute to call his own: if he’s not on the water teaching beginners to canoe… he is trying to organise canoeing courses, promote opportunities for scout leaders to become qualified coaches; help on the committee, do DIY work; work on boat storage or look after and transport bulky canoeing equipment… For keith there is no such thing as a quiet weekend… Without Keith and his family, Trentham Canoe Club would struggle to operate so successfully.”
Special Recognition for Community Volunteer Steve Courtney, Bolton Canoe Club
Unfortunately, Steve lost his fight against cancer in October last year but his wife Joan was present to collect his award in honour of the impact that Steve had in Paddlesport.
This is a special award to honour an inspirational volunteer who encouraged and supported people not only in Paddlesport, but throughout his life. “Steve is the most enthusiastic advocate of Paddlesport I have ever had the privilege of paddling with. He shares ideas and his enthusiasm, and until his ill health prevented him, Steve would frequently be found ferrying people to club sessions and rivers,” says clubmate Helen Sharples. “He is the backbone of our club and when he isn’t on the water with us we miss his presence.”
Access Officer Icarus & Fiona Edmonds, Devon
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Icarus and Fiona volunteer together as Access Officers. The couple work hard for the paddlers in the region in a community that is changing year after year. Their input has had a great impact on paddlers of play boats, river runners, touring and racers and has not gone unnoticed. Their most notable success is preserving the access on the river Dart in Devon.
Outstanding Contribution Don Raspin, Tees Kayak Club
Don has been coaching slalom for over 30 years, as well as being influential on the slalom committee and as a volunteer in access. As a level 3 coach, Don is qualified in slalom, recreational and placid water: “He is a huge advocate of the introduction of slalom at club level;… Don’s input has been invaluable,” commented Anne Hounslow, chair of the slalom committee.
Outstanding Contribution Sue & Ken Trollope, Salisbury Canoe Club
Ken and Sue have been involved in slalom for many years – with the slalom team and on the committee. Together, they were a major part of the organisational team for the European U23 Championships in 2007. “You cannot talk about Ken and Sue separately. They have given so much to the sport of Canoe Slalom,” says Andy Maddock, BCU. Sadly, Sue passed away last year and has been a great loss to the world of Paddlesport: “Sue will be sadly missed, Sue and Ken have made an outstanding contribution to canoe slalom over the years,” explains Andy.
Outstanding Contribution Dick Constable, White Rose Canoe Club, Leeds
As chair of the Yorkshire region, Dick has taken on numerous roles over the years. He coaches for White Rose Canoe Club; Yorkshire Single Bladers and Yorkshire Sea Kayakers. As president of White Rose Canoe Club, Dick also organises trips away, coordinates training, organises events and supports the region as a Local Coach Organiser (LCO). “Dick has made an amazing difference to the Yorkshire region,” says Gareth Field, Canoe England. “He has made a huge difference in developing the region.”
Outstanding Contribution Andy Neave, Stafford & Stone Canoe Club
Andy has been volunteering for over 23 years as a coach and competition organiser for his club. His coaching has developed many of Britain’s junior and senior medallists: “His commitment to coaching is outstanding,” says fellow club coach, Ruth Holdway. “Andy has the gift of getting the children he coaches to strive for the best they can achieve.” Andy is one of those people who will also go the extra mile to help his. “He is an innovator…If we had more Andy Neave’s dotted around the country, British Canoeing would be a force to be reckoned with across the world,” says Ruth.
Outstanding Contribution John Humphrey Cork, Cheltenham
Having volunteered for over 38 years, John has now retired from the sport. His involvement was primarily though the army where he was on the committee, volunteered as a top level coach and was on hand to train and assess for other coaches and awards. John’s most impressive achievement came after being posted to Singapore. Here, John founded the Singapore Canoe Foundation and was honoured as national coach for the country. He has since returned to Singapore where a presentation dinner was held in his honour.
Outstanding Contribution Julie Lowe, Newark, Nottinghamshire
Julie has been volunteering for over 15 years as a coach as well as helping with the organisation and running of the club. As co-founder of the 4A’s (Adventure Activities for All Abilities) Sports Club, Julie has ensured that the club caters primarily for the needs of young people with special needs and their families. “Julie is passionate about giving children/young adults an equal opportunity to access sport, enabling everyone the opportunity to participate in canoeing alongside their able bodied peers,” says Helen Purdy, Newark & Sherwood District Council. “Her commitment and dedication, the kindness, respect and encouragement that she shows the children/young adults is admirable.”