WAC Awards Night – 27 November 2009

Seventy members and friends attended Wimborne Athletic Club’s  presentation evening at the Allendale Centre on Friday 27th November. Chairman Peter Impett used the theme ‘Be of Good Report’ to illustrate the club’s year.  A record-breaking Wimborne 10 road race, well organised cross-country and track fixtures and quality coaching were used as examples of how well the club was regarded by athletes and the community at large.  However, he expressed the view that the club should be a bit more ambitious and laid down some challenges for 2010. 

Tribute was paid to all the coaches, officials and committee members who give up so much of their time to help.

Hannah Winton again led the parade of trophy winners retaining the under-15 age group trophy as well as the Jonathan Edwards trophy for triple jump and the Carol Hollins trophy for long jump.  Jack Snook’s performance at the English Schools in the pole vault despite breaking a bone in his hand at the end of the close season won him the male best performance award and the under-15 boys trophy. Roz Hutton won the female outstanding performance award and the female thrower of the year trophy.

Other age group awards went to Maddy Diment and Phoebe O’Mahony in the under-11s, to Sharon Hutchings and Adam Collins in the under-13s, Elllis Marples and Ben Amey in the under-17s and Steve Snook and Maddy Vaughan-Johncey in the seniors. Maddy also won the hurdles trophy and Alwyn Harries won the sprints trophy.

Cross-country runner Piers Copeland won the best junior award followed by Tilly Dickenson and Annabel Brown as the best newcomers. Matthew Curtis won the high jump trophy and the middle distance prize was won by Sharon Hutchings.

Richard Nunn was a popular winner of the clubman’s Robin Blackburn trophy and Liam Winton won the Clare Bailey trophy for endeavour. Trudi Carter won the prestigious Les Phillips award for her work in schools and setting up a whole range of initiatives of benefit to the club. The Hill Ford team trophy was awarded to the Social Committee of Clare Gladden and Roz Hutton who organised the evening. Ian Kennedy was voted Coach of the Year and then proceeded to entertain with his Night Train Disco. 

Roadrunning trophies went to Julie Gosling and Stewart Little for best male and female performances over the year. Anthony Clark won the Marathon prize for a storming first attempt and Guy Miller won the Roadmaster trophy for running every league race and some more. Seven athletes from Wimborne out of 21 in the county had completed all the league races showing the popularity of the roadrunning section.