Captain's Speech from The Club Award Evening

"Whilst not everyone will win a trophy tonight, the awards criteria means that at least some trophies are open to everyone in the club. In other words, consideration is not solely based on the fastest/ best/ strongest person in a given category - we also reflect on those who have exceeded expectations at their chosen event or showed commitment to the club ‘beyond the call of duty’.
"We hope that club members leave here tonight motivated to improve their performances next year so as to feature in next year’s awards."

1. Hilary Johnson Endurance Trophy

"Hilary, mother of Martin, was a founder member of the club, well known for her great tenacity and spirit. She was a fine athlete who went on to represent Great Britain at ultra-running. This trophy, struck in her memory, was therefore designed to go to someone who had shown similar approach to their running. 800m runner Jason Pitcher in 22nd, impressed in the Snowdon Marathon. Sean Fenwick and Sarah Swaine did 1.12 and 1.21 half-marathons respectively. Ruth Bingham, although missing her target for her first marathon, overcame a 20minute medical attention stop to complete the London Marathon, but the award this year goes to someone who would indeed have impressed Hilary with his running dedication. New to the club this year, he has a number of good half-marathons behind him. His training generally involves running from Desborough before doing the session at the club and then running home again. Only last week, he ran a marathon in 2h 43m, which isn’t too bad for a 48year-old with a stress fracture of his leg.....Lazloe Boden."

2. Junior Female of the Year (Club Captain’s Award)

"It has been interesting to watch the development of the recent recipients of this award. Sarah Ward has stepped up to the Senior T&F team this year, with a confident 800m victory on her debut, and shown herself to be equally adept at 400m and 1500m. Jessica Edge won the Junior Ladies' category in the East Midlands Grand Prix Series, whilst Megan Booler won the U20 Ladies County 800m. However, there are one or two new names to throw into the mix this year who will hopefully feature in the competition for a few years to come. Bethany Ellis has looked at home in the Heart of England 800m and we expect to see her step up a level next year. The winner of this award won the North Mids U11 XC before moving up to the U13s where she finished in the top 15 in the County, which bodes well for the future as she has a further 2 years in this age group. She won the South Leics Primary Schools 800m, has improved her 1500m times and has knocked a minute and a half off her 3k time. The Junior Female of the Year is Martha Clapp."

3. Junior Male of the Year (Club Captain’s Award)

"The Senior T&F team has benefitted from the appearance of a number of juniors. Mark Lawton has consolidated his position in the team with some good hurdles victories and important points in the sprints and long jump. Matt Driver acquitted himself well in the middle distance races on his debut, as did Matt and Dan Taylor, Dan winning the 400m hurdles. All four have shown good attitude in joining in time trials and Club Championship races. At the younger end of the age spectrum, Jake Watson has performed commendably in the Heart of England Series. The winner of this award has also stepped up to the senior men’s team in good style, after a few months specialist sprint training, reducing his 100m and 200m best to 12.3s and 25.5s. The Junior Male of the Year is Roy Barber."

4. Most Improved Athlete of the Year

"This award is open to all levels of athlete and hopefully shows what can be done with some dedicated training. Unity Hamilton-Harding has shown a lot of enthusiasm and determination to improve her track performances. Nicola James has also looked at home on the track this season and set a number of pbs. Last year’s winner, Adam Brooks, has moved on a level this year. This award goes to someone who was delighted to win the best newcomer last year. He has set his sights this year on moving up the ranks with his road performances and has improved his times consistently throughout the year. There is no reason for him not to show similar improvement next year......Ady King."

5. Best Newcomer of the Year

"This award is for people who have been with the club for less than two years. Lazloe Boden, who already had a background of many years’ running, has excelled this year on the road since joining us from Witney. Rebecca Pope and Hayley Whiteman have thrown themselves into competition since joining us this year, taking part in many road races. However, the award goes to someone who has just completed his second T&F season with us. He joined us, along with his brothers, to form the core of our sprint team and they have all proved to be invaluable members of the squad. He has latterly also competed in the 1500m in a respectable time and reduced his 100m to 12.3s.....Chris Astley."

6. Club/ Team Athlete

"This award is for the person who, when necessary, puts the Club before their own performance. Dean Rushby, when available, volunteers for every event that is left whether it be steeplechase or walk. Lianne Brooks has turned out at all the meetings this season, even postponing departure for her family holiday to attend. Jill Roginski, when not falling over her cat, has again kept the ladies’ field team going by competing in all events except the pole vault. However, this award goes to someone who has always been an integral part of the road and XC teams, usually followed by a swimming meeting in the evening. However, since she has started performing on the track, she looks to have found her true home as her performances show.....Nicola James."

7. Track Performance of the Year

"As well as the masters men winning their cup final for a fifth time, there have been some notable individual performances on the track this year. Roy Barber has performed well in the sprints, as have the Astley brothers. Sarah Ward has reduced her 800m time down to 2:23. Sarah Swaine won the County 5,000m title in a new county record time of 17:56. Will Clapp won masters gold in the 800m, 1500m and 5000 whilst Tony Harrison has marked his move into a new age group by immediately picking up club records at 200m, 400m and 800m. The award goes to someone who has achieved some notable distance wins as part of the ladies’ masters team, backing this up with 200m and a leg of the relay. She has won with 5:11 for 1500m and 11:03 for 3000m.....Hannah Eveleigh."

8. Field Athlete of the Year

"Stuart Avins has continued to garner his usual points at the Masters T&F. Andy Wilkinson has again scored well on the pole vault whilst winning his usual county title. Jill Roginski, the outgoing ladies T&F Captain, has covered most of the field events whenever possible, performing creditably in them all. Her high point this season was leading her team of three to an amazing cup final runners-up spot. The award goes to someone who has committed herself to the pole vault over the last year, travelling each week for specialist training. This resulted in her becoming county champion. She also gained substantial points in high jump, long jump and javelin.....Lianne Brooks."

9. Sue Clayton-Drabble Track & Field Award

"This trophy was donated by Sue to go to the person who most embodied the spirit of the ladies veteran track and field team. Yvonne Barber has always been prepared to step in to whatever event needs filling. Jill Roginski’s contribution has already been mentioned. Jenny Jones has been happy to complete a 200m as well as her specialist walk. Nicola James and Hannah Eveleigh have also competed outside their comfort zone. The winner of this award has competed uncomplainingly in whatever event she has been entered, setting a number of pbs along the way.....Unity Hamilton-Harding."

10. Cross Country Runner of the Year

"Sarah and Peter Swaine both gained selection for the Inter-Counties with Sarah finishing in a tremendous 41st position. Jessica Edge and Sarah Ward both competed in the English Schools races. The Senior and Masters Men won bronze in the County Championship. Karen Brooks again achieved a podium position in the North Mids League, whilst Martha Clapp won the U11 girls. The award goes to someone who consistently placed well in all his events, being an ever-present in the Derby Runner League team, as well as being part of the aforementioned county teams.....Martin Gore."

11. Road Runner of the Year

"Sean Fenwick has started to again produce some top performances – his 55minute 10 mile and 1.12 half-marathon last week augur well for next month’s marathon. Lazloe Boden has already cracked the 2hour 45min barrier to which Sean aspires. Will Clapp has won all four of his club championship races, whilst Adam Brooks, Shane Edge and Ady King have all raced prolifically. The award goes to someone who continues to go from strength to strength. He was an ever-present in the winter Leicestershire Road Running League, always in the top five in his age category; he once again is one of the leading contenders for the club road championships based on age-graded performances; in the highly competitive East Midlands Grand Prix Series, he completed all eight races to a very high standard, achieving three 2nd places and two 3rd places, overall finishing in 2nd place.....Richard Bufton."

12. Veteran Male Athlete of the Year

"No consideration for this award is complete without Stuart Avins and his collection of throws, runs and jumps – still the intense competitor; Andy Wilkinson with his pole vault victories and numerous performances in various other events, collecting points and injuries in equal measure. Tony Harrison, the outgoing Masters T&F captain, has had a good track season in his pursuit of pbs and club records. Will Clapp has had a strong all-round season, with some good times and dominant running. The award goes to a prolific racer on the roads and cross country, consistently delivering high standard performances that many half his age would be rightly proud of. He even found time to get married in between races.....Richard Bufton."

13. Veteran Female Athlete of the Year

"Hannah Eveleigh made a strong contribution in the Masters League as well as being part of the XC team who won the Midland XC Relays, arguably one of the best results of the Club’s 25 years. Nicola James and Unity Hamilton-Harding have contributed massively, mainly in T&F. The award goes to someone who has coupled the responsibilities of captaincy with competition and won untold points on both track and field despite often being injured.....Jill Roginski."

14. Male Athlete of the Year

"Last year, this was one of the hardest awards to decide with different people shining at different stages of the year. This year has been considerably easier. Richard Bufton’s form has merited consideration, whilst Sean Fenwick’s late surge was noted. However, the award goes to someone who again has been consistently near the top of his form throughout the year, with outstanding performances on country, road and track. He has won 6 County medals, set pbs at 3000m and 3k on the road and finished 3rd in the East Midlands Grand Prix Series.....Will Clapp."

15. Female Athlete of the Year

"Jill Roginski, on account of her contribution to T&F and Sarah Ward as a result of her performances when moving into the Senior T&F Team could put forward valid claims for consideration. However, the winner of this trophy had a strong early season, with top performances on the country, particularly in the National and Inter-Counties. She has followed that up on the track with victory in the County 5000m and selection for the Inter-Counties 5000m.....Sarah Swaine."

16. Club Service Award

"The usual nominees have already been honoured. To this list, we add Andy Robinson, Tony Harrison and Jill Roginski who have had the sometimes thankless task of organising the T&F teams and Traci Edwards, who organises the juniors on a Monday night and manages them in various competitions throughout the season. Martin Hughes has joined the committee this year and immediately taken on the role of Leicestershire Road Running League delegate. Kyle Barber and Adam Brooks work hard behind the scenes to ensure the website is always interesting and up-to-date. The award goes to someone who is always the first to volunteer to assist in any activity the club undertake.as well as efficiently running the Club membership.....Yvonne Barber."

17. Athlete of the Year (Sanderson Trophy)

"This award is chosen from the six age group winners : -
- Martha Clapp
- Roy Barber
- Sarah Swaine
- Will Clapp
- Jill Roginski
- Richard Bufton
And the winner is.....Will Clapp."

19/09/2009