Sport Godalming News - January ’08

 

2007 Awards

Olympic Silver Medallist Roger Black urges local athletes to go for it

Athletic Olympian great, Roger Black, presented the 2007 Sport Godalming Annual Awards for sporting excellence, at the Charterhouse Club. Roger, who finished second to the legendary Michael Johnson at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, gave his full backing for the ‘Go for Gold’ champions fund and urged local athletes to “go for it”.

Sport Godalming chairman David Anderson welcomed everyone to the awards, including the Godalming Town Mayor, Tony Gordon-Smith and thanked this year’s sponsors, the Surrey Advertiser, Tim Ostle of the Charterhouse Club and new sponsors Downs Solicitors.

There then followed a short, but exciting fencing demonstration between Christine Hales, Waverley’s Sports development officer and Elizabeth Ng from the Aldershot Fencing club.

Before presenting the awards Roger Black encouraged local sports people to work hard at their ambitions and said, “There is no greater feeling than standing on the rostrum and having a medal put round your neck. As an athlete you wouldn’t swap anything for Olympic success.”

Updated 21.08.2008

 

Guest Celebrity Roger Black

Most of you will know or will have heard of Roger but just to remind you…

Born in Portsmouth - educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and then went on to read medicine at Southampton University.

He represented Great Britain for 14 years at the highest level in the world of athletics both as an individual 400 metre runner and as a member of the 4x400 metre relay team. He won 15 major Championship medals including European, Commonwealth and World championship gold medals - his greatest achievement was winning the Olympic 400 metres Silver medal in 1996. He was also the British men's Team Captain.

Roger was particularly admired for his triumphs over adversity, successfully overcoming several serious injuries and set backs over his career. He was awarded the MBE in 1992 and his career now encompasses the Media - he has captained a ‘Question of Sport’ in his time - he is a presenter, a motivational speaker and is one of those unique people who has achieved both individually and as part of a team - he understands the dynamics of becoming a champion - he knows how to ‘dream a dream’ and inspire people…

 

Master of Ceremonies, Simon Crowther

Town Mayor and Mayoress with Chairman

 

2008 Awards

The 2008 Sports Awards evening will take place on Friday 28th November at the Charterhouse Sports Centre, commencing from 7pm and finishing at 9pm.

Our guests for the evening will include the High Sheriff of Surrey, Sally Varah – MP & Shadow Minister for Sport and Culture, Jeremy Hunt – the Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley Cllr Len Bate and Mrs Merrill Bate and the Deputy Mayor of Godalming, Mrs Joy Poulter and her husband Mike.

We also have our photographer from last year – Len Deeley.

We are indebted to our main sponsors Downs Solicitors: the Surrey Advertiser and the Charterhouse Club.

We invite nominations for the following categories:

 

• Sports Personality of the Year – this is an award for senior individuals
• Youth Sports Personality of the Year – this is an award for junior individuals who are under 17 years of age on 30th September 2008
• Sports Team of the Year – this is an award for senior teams comprising of 4 members and more
• Youth Sports Team of the Year – this is an award for junior teams who are all under 17 years of age on 30th September 2008 and comprising of 4 members and more
• Long Service Awards
• Outstanding Service to Sport Award - this is an award made to any sports club, school or individual who enhances and promotes sport within the local community. 

 

The nomination form can be downloaded by clicking here and entries close on 31st October 2008.

The winners of each category will go forward into the Surrey Sports Awards in 2009.

The Mayor’s address

“Go for Gold” - Bill Braid

Guest Celebrity Roger Black in action

Guest Celebrity Roger Black presents Sport Godalming Bowls winners, Edgar Wilkins and Helen Burgess - with their Trophies at the Sports Awards 2007 Evening

Fencing Demo: Christina Hales & Elizabeth Ng

 

Photographs are courtesy of Len Deeley from the Godalming Photographic Society.

Check out Len's website www.imagine-photography.co.uk - it’s really something!

Guest Celebrity Roger Black takes the floor

The Awards