Sport Godalming News - January ’08

 

Nominations and Sports Awards 2007

“Ladies and Gentlemen - the nomination form for this year’s awards has been available on our website for many months. Member clubs, local schools and clubs have been invited to put forward teams or individuals who in their opinion have excelled within Godalming’s sporting environment over the past year.

When these were returned to us and I’m glad to say that the majority were in electronic format, they were judged by an independent panel under the chairmanship of Charterhouse’s Tim Ostle – as for previous years, judging these entries is not an easy one and there was a lot of discussion and debate about for instance the relative merits of success – such as – what standard of competition are county winners in one sport versus county winners in another? The judging is also based on relative performance during the year and not on the level of competition – so there is an equal chance if your team or individual competes locally or at a higher level – all it all depends on the judge’s assessment of your teams or individuals achievements – it is also recognized how much talent we have in our Town.

Let me now tell you how will make these presentations. We will take a category at a time and will show on screen each nomination – I will briefly summarise their achievements. At the end of each category, envelopes containing the details of the first three places will be opened and announced and those teams or individuals should come forward to receive their award on stage from the donator where photographs will be taken along with Roger Black – for the team awards all members of the team that are here should come forward to receive their award, which will be a plaque for the team rather than individual medals. You are welcome to take your own photos but we will be sending you a copy after the event.

All those who have been nominated are WINNERS – you might not get into the top three this time – just be proud that you were nominated for your performance this year.”

 

Text of the Sports Awards presentation 2007

The first category is for the Senior Team Award for the WAVERLEY Shield - this is an award made to any single sports team comprising at least four members.

The nominations received this year are as follows (and with all these teams and individuals nominations - they are in no specific order) and perhaps you would hold your applause until we have reached the end of each category.

 

Waverley Shield Nominations

Godalming Masters Swimming Team (3)

Winners of the 2007 Surrey Masters Championships, taking men’s, ladies and Relay titles, winning 32 individual gold medals, 27 silver and 21 bronze. From 17 clubs, they finished 69 points clear. The Relay team also added 9 gold’s, 6 silvers and 4 bronzes. Individual swimmers also added 8 Victor Ludorum trophies, awarded for top of age groups

St Catherine’s Under 18 Lacrosse Team

Were placed third at the National Finals of the National Schools Lacrosse tournament

 

Godalming Cricket Club 2nd XI (2)

The club in one shape or another has been around since 1767 and this is the first time that one of their teams will grace the Surrey Championship by coming second in division one of the Fullers league. It was also mentioned that their first match in that league some fifteen years ago they were bowled out for just 29 runs and that team included a 10-year old Rikki Clarke, who went on to play for England!

 

St Catherine’s Lacrosse Players

A group of nine players from the school represented their home nations in the world under-19 championships this summer in Canada

 

Milford Bowling Club – Triples Team (1)

Capped a very successful season with their Triples team of Edgar Wilkins, Ted Lewis and John Everest all gaining their County Colours by reaching the semi-final stage of the Surrey County Bowling Association Triples competition, beating a number of well fancied teams along the way – the team then went on to represent the county in the National Bowling championships in Worthing.

 

Waverley Shield Winners

The envelopes were opened by our Town Mayor Tony Gordon-Smith who announced the winner of the WAVERLEY Shield donated by Waverley Borough Council.

 

Roger Black is pictured presenting the shield and the plaques to the Milford Bowling Club (Triples Team).

 

 

Go Godalming Shield Nominations

The second category is for the Junior Team Award for the GO GODALMING Shield – again, this award is made to any single sports team comprising at least four members born after 30th September 1990.

The nominations received this year are as follows

 

St Catherine’s Under 15 Lacrosse Team  

Winners of the final of the National Lacrosse tournament

 

Guildford Hockey Club Boys under 16 team (1)

The team plays in the Mercian Home Counties under-16 league, which consists of many of the best teams in the South East of England. The players in the top teams are normally all county and regional representative players. This team went unbeaten throughout their regular season in the league thus qualifying for the end of season finals day. Held at Canterbury, the team progressed to the final playing Reading and won by a golden goal in extra time. It is considered by far the best performance ever by a Guildford Hockey side of this age group

 

Barrow Hills under-11 Netball Team (3)

With only fifteen girls in the qualifying age group to choose from, they won the Surrey County Schools under 11 Netball Championship – they came third in the National I.A.P.S National championships and won all their under-11 inter-school matches throughout the season. They also were tournament winners at the Guildford High School and St Margaret’s tournaments

 

Prior’s Field under-14 Netball Team

This team had an excellent season finishing runners-up to Guildford High School in the Surrey finals by one goal. On the way to the final they won every match in their pool and in the finals tournament they also won their pool and semi-final to reach the final. It was also mentioned that the team was dedicated to training and competing all season and they played with an excellent level of sportsmanship and training

 

Rodborough Year 9 Cricket Team

Winners of the Guildford District Final of the County Cricket Cup. In another competition they beat a couple of public schools along the way before losing to the eventual winners Whitgift.

 

Farncombe Youth FC Raiders Team (2)

Formed some eight years ago, their honours list ever since has been most impressive with the team started at under -7 and moving up a year ever since. This season their under-14 squad were champions of the West Surrey Boys Premier South, they won three 5-a-side competitions – the Elm Grove Colts & Liphook as well as the Farncombe Boy’s tournament. They were also runners-up in the Halliford Colts 5-a-side tournament

 

St Catherine’s Under 16 Netball Team

Winners in the County under-16 Netball tournament

 

Rodborough year 8 Netball Team

Came second in their District final and enjoyed an unbeaten season elsewhere. Many of their girls represented Surrey in the Youth games.

 

St Catherine’s inter Athletics Team

Placed twelfth in the National Schools final.

 

Go Godalming Shield Winners

The envelopes were opened by Joy Poulter, life president of the Go Godalming Association, who announced the winner of the GO GODALMING Shield.

 

Roger Black is pictured presenting the shield and the plaques to the Guildford Hockey Boys’ Under 16 Team.

 

Denningberg Shield Nominations

The third category is for the Junior Individual Award for the DENNINGBERG Shield – this is an award made to any person – male or female members with a date of birth after 30th September 1990.

The nominations received this year are as follows

 

Adelle Tracey – Guildford & Godalming Athletic Club (1)

An outstanding 800 metre runner – this year she won the Surrey Championship, was runner-up in the South of England championship and third in the English Schools championship. She won the National championship in August. She broke the club’s record for under-16 by more than 4 seconds and it was mentioned that the previous record holder went on to represent Great Britain. She is a dedicated athlete with an excellent approach to training and competition.

 

Matthew Welch – Rodborough School & Wey Kayak Club

Someone with an obvious passion for his sport – he trains daily at the Waterside Centre and his achievements this year include seventh place in an under-18 European marathon championship, which is not only an international Kayak competition but also racing against competitors two years his senior. In the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Poland he finished 6th in the 1000 metre under-16 category. At National level, he finished in 4th place in the under-16 K1 1000 metres & 2nd in the K2 1000 meters and 6th at International level in the under-18 World Cup.

 

Sophie Jefferies – St Catherine’s School

She was the winner of the I.A.P.S National School 100 metres at under-12 level

 

Alice Gribble – Prior’s Field School

Alice is an outstanding ice skater who trains regularly at the Spectrum – her sights are set on qualifying for the Nationals at under-16 where the top 20 skaters are invited to compete. This will be quite an achievement as she is only 13.

 

Elizabeth Ng – Aldershot Fencing based at Broadwater School (3=)

Women’s foil – her achievements this year include 19th place in the European Cadet (under-17) championships in Serbia, the finals at Birmingham international where she came 8th, the British senior National Championships where she came 11th and a double gold at the UK Schools games for both individual and Team England

 

Matt Ruane – Godalming Youth Canoe Club

Started attending the club about halfway through the season and is always extremely helpful and supportive of everyone else. Academic commitments mean he cannot attend every week but when at the club he always makes sure that the equipment is stored appropriately and the other members are having fun.

 

Adrianne Blanchard – Broadwater School & Woking Power (2)

Adrianne holds the British under-16 Power Lifting title – she had to qualify to compete and in the finals held in Newcastle, she had to bench press 30kgs, squat 62.5kgs & dead lift 90kgs – in total 182.5kgs Her nominator mentioned that she is a hard working young lady who you would never expect to power-lift and how refreshing to have someone doing something different

 

Guy Phipps – Elstead Riding Club (3=)

Riding Maximillian, he helped the Elstead Junior team of 4 win the area qualifiers held earlier this year in Surrey for both the junior style jumping and junior open show jumping. He was the individual winner in the junior section of the style jumping, which was run concurrently with the senior qualifier and achieved the highest mark out of both junior and senior competitors at the qualifier. From 98 competitors from all over Britain at the British Riding Clubs’ National Junior Championships held at the Lincolnshire showground, he had the highest score on the day and took the individual championship. His high score also helped the team finish 8th out of 23 teams.

 

Charterhouse Club Shield Winners

The envelopes were opened by Tim Ostle, Commercial Manager of the Charterhouse Club who announced the winner of the CHARTERHOUSE CLUB Shield donated by the Charterhouse Club.

 

Roger Black is pictured left presenting the shield and the plaques to Wendy Ducker.

 

 

Long Service Award Presentations

The fifth category is the Long Service Award. Sport Godalming is well aware that most clubs have a small number of individuals who are totally committed and are the nucleus around which clubs function. Very often their work is taken for granted but occasionally they are nominated and it always gives us great pleasure in recognising and rewarding them for their exceptional and dedicated long service.

This year we have selected three such exceptional persons and in no particular order, I would like to read their testimonials and ask them at the end to come up together to receive their long service awards from Roger.

 

Graham Ekins – Farncombe Cricket Club

Graham has been associated with Farncombe Cricket Club for some 38 years, joining as a colt in 1969 under the leadership of his father Ivan, who started the colts section. He developed as an excellent wicket keeper and opening batsman and won several Bowey and Jack Lewis Cups as a colt. He represented Surrey youth cricketers and Surrey 2nd’s. He was a member of the Farncombe team that won the Flora Doris cup in 1980 and the Admiral Dunlop cup in 1986 along with numerous Three Counties League titles. In the late nineties, he kept wicket for the side which gained promotion to the Surrey Championship from the Surrey County league.

His finest achievement has been to take on the post of colt’s manager, a position he has held for some 20 years. The colts section has an average of 100 youngsters each season representing the club at ages 11 to 17. Like any successful club, a strong colts section is the backbone to success and most senior players have passed through Graham’s hands. He also was responsible for setting up their Academy XI, which is a team under the age of 21 and this form of cricket provides a vital link between colts and senior cricket.

Graham also captains the Saturday 2nd XI and is an active member of their management committee

 

Martin Rawlinson – Milford & Witley Football Club

Martin joined Milford Football Club 43 years ago as a player and has served the club in numerous officer positions ever since. He has been secretary for the past 20 years and also acted as secretary for the Burton Pavilion committee and led the sub-committee that planned and organised the re-build of the sports pavilion at Milford Heath, which offers excellent facilities and a base for three football clubs and a cricket club. He has been the backbone of the club for many years and his devotion and enthusiasm has made Milford & Witley Football club the success it is today and now runs 5 men’s teams on a Saturday and a ladies team on a Sunday

 

Andrew Greener – Farncombe Youth Football Club

Andrew has been involved at Farncombe Youth Football Club for at least 10 years in many different & varied rolls, including a Committee Member, managing a very successful girls team,  Club Secretary, Tournament Officer to which he produced the biggest and best ever fundraiser for the Club a couple of years ago.  The fundraising is a very important role, as it helps us buy kits and equipment for the children.  He could also be found doing grounds man duties. He has had 3 children go through Farncombe Youth FC, one of which is now playing at Chelsea FC.

Long Service Award Winners, Graham Ekins, Martin Rawlinson, and Andrew Greenener

 

The Mayor’s Trophy

The penultimate award this evening is the Mayor’s Trophy which will be presented by David Gill, the Sports and Leisure manager at Waverley Borough Council.

 

You have heard this evening testimonials of sporting excellence and it will not have escaped you that one body has been repeatedly mentioned particularly in Netball and Lacrosse as well as athletics and whose girls have not only represented their school and have won tournaments both at County level and Nationally but have also represented their countries both at home and overseas. The standard of sporting achievement that this school produces year after year is a testament to the PE team lead by Vicky Alexander and Laura Dybell and this year the Mayors award recognises St Catherine’s School.

 

The  Chris & Jenny Slyfield Trophy

Our final category this evening is for the Chris & Jenny Slyfield Trophy – this is a very special award that Chris and Jenny Slyfield first presented a couple of years ago – it is awarded to a person who has given outstanding service to Sport in Godalming and is selected at our discretion.

We started with a fencing demonstration and it is with fencing that we conclude our awards evening.

This year we have decided to give this award to a lady who has been fencing since she was eighteen years old and was the founder member of the Guildford Fencing Club and is now an honorary member. Last year, she entered the Commonwealth games as a veteran in fencing and won the gold medal, in Edinburgh.  This year she was awarded a Silver Medal at foil category IV at this year’s Commonwealth Veteran Fencing Championships at Toronto, Canada. She competed in the Veteran's European Championships at St Fallen, Switzerland.

She is a former Ladies Captain of Surrey and the South East.  At one time she competed in many open competitions throughout the country and also in Europe at Calais, Paris, Noorrdwyk and Brussels.  She has also served on many committees at national level; she has helped at the Commonwealth games in many capacities and is the current South East Region's secretary.  In 2001 she was awarded an I O C Diploma as a volunteer in the development of sport.

Not only is she a local living in Godalming, she continues to encourage and support beginners; she is at the club every week, fences with the veterans and is a very supportive member. She always has time to help and guide the other fencers who are obviously less experienced than she is. She is on the committee of the new Godalming Fencing Club that started this May.

Her club will be utterly delighted to see her have some recognition for her dedication to her sport - this is a truly remarkable lady and somebody very special in the World of Fencing.  She is Diane Austin.

 

Charterhouse Club Shield Nominations

The fourth category is for the Senior Individual Award for the CHARTERHOUSE CLUB Shield – this is an award made to any person – male or female other than junior. The nominations received this year are as follows

 

Lauren Gillett – Godalming Youth Canoe Club

Joined the club about halfway through the season and has been enthusiastic in encouraging several others to join as well. She has a busy work schedule but makes time to practice and help others and is very supportive and is also involved in their fundraising

 

Sean Thornber – Guildford Rugby Club – under-17

This young man Sean spent hours of his time selflessly organising a 20 day tour to South Africa over the summer for the U16 (now U17) Guildford Rugby team of 25 boys.  The emphasis was an educational and cultural experience rather than just rugby.  Sean arranged: a morning talk on the history of Apartheid; a day trip to a hospital for terminally ill children; a weekend where the boys painted a Christian hospice; a trip through one of the townships. Many of the boys commented afterwards that this was a life-changing experience for them and one which they will never forget.

Sean also organised 3 rugby matches (of which the team won two); a safari trip to see cheetahs; a trip up Table Mountain; a trip to the Cape of Good Hope; and endless other activities that none of the boys had experienced before - nor would have had the opportunity to experience by themselves. This has undoubtedly made them more rounded people.

It is due to his unselfish efforts (fundraising, organising and logistical co-ordination) that these boys had the opportunity to experience this.

 

Adam White – Wonersh Bowls Club

Adam has achieved widespread recognition bowling at county level achieving runner-up position last year and winning the Surrey County Bowling Association Singles competition this year – for someone of his age – quite an achievement! He has gained his county colours and competes regularly at county level both in the indoor and outdoor game as well as representing the county in the National championships

 

Wendy Ducker – Elstead Riding Club (1)

In September at the British Riding Club’s National Championship at the Lincolnshire Showground, riding Mochaccino, Wendy won the National individual open dressage championship. This is the third year in succession that this pairing of rider and horse has qualified for the National Open dressage championship – missing out through illness in 2005 and qualifying as an individual and team member last year, helping the team into 4th place. She was an individual arena winner at the West Surrey qualifier in dressage which qualified her for this year’s National championship. With some 180 competitors from all over Great Britain qualifying for this years National Open Dressage championships, she finished first in her arena, having the highest percentage score across the six arenas that the competition  was based upon winning her the British Riding Clubs’ Superflex Senior Open Individual Dressage Championship. She has also won qualifiers for both National and the London & South East dressage to music championships – she was also placed 5th at the National novice dressage to music championship and 2nd in the LSE championship

 

James Priseman – Godalming Youth Canoe Club

A founder member of the club, James has steadily progressed in confidence and ability and now assists the instructors. He has attended three of the annual residentials and regularly helps with everything. He hopes to work towards his coaching certificate - job permitting. A trip to Uganda is planned for next year and he is busy raising funds for himself and others.

 

Chris Scott – Shaftsbury Barnet Harriers

A discus thrower par-excellence, he again became the under-20 Surrey champion this year and also retained his South of England title for the third time in succession. He was selected to throw the discus for the England team in an international in Stavanger, Norway, which he won against stiff opposition! He also qualified to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the European Junior championships in Hengelo, Holland. He finished his season with a win in the National junior league Grand-Prix where he threw, Discuss, Hammer and Shot, Chris is currently raked number two in the UK and thirteen in Europe with the heavier weight discus

 

Kate Newall – St Catherine’s School

Represented England in the under-19 World Cup Lacrosse Team winning a bronze medal - she is also part of the senior England training squad

 

Jon Underwood – Farncombe & Godalming Rifle Club

Previous double winner of this category, Jon has been shooting for Surrey County, for England and for Great Britain – his previous achievements have been noted in Sport Godalming’s earlier newsletters. This year Jon as a member of the Surrey team came 2nd in the long range match and the team aggregate at the inter-counties meeting. As vice-captain, he won the Parker Tankard as a member of the National Rifle Association that shot against Guernsey Rifle Club in the Channel Islands. He was a member of a Surrey team that won the Purples match against 20 other teams, he won the Ages match at a National Rifle Association meeting. As part of a 26-man Great Britain squad he won the Palma match trophy at the World International Long Range championship meeting in Canada – this followed 12th position in the individual World championship event. Jon also won the St George’s at the NRA Imperial meeting at Bisley – this event is considered to be the most prestigious after the Queen’s Prize – Jon was also placed 7th in grand aggregate. Finally he was part of the winning team for the OFT Swindle which raises money for the overseas team fund.

 

Sheila Seddon – Milford Bowls Club (2)

After a number of years playing bowls at the highest level, Sheila has achieved one of the Surrey County Woman’s Bowling Associations highest honours in sport by winning the County two-wood singles championship. She then went on to compete in the National championships at Leamington when she reached the last sixteen in the country

 

Georgie Bruinvels – St Catherine’s School & Dorking Athletics Club

A remarkable athlete in both Lacrosse and athletics – placed 4th in the English Schools 3000 meters athletics final and representing Scotland in the under-19 Lacrosse World Championships

 

Derek Agge – Godalming Cricket Club (3)

Senior coach at Godalming CC promoting cricket for both seniors and juniors, was again the leading run scorer in the Fullers Brewery Surrey County league Division One – scoring some 600 runs at an average of 42 and a run rate of 133/100 balls – achieving a bowling average of 15 for 41 wickets taken and twelve victims.