Voluntary Coach of the Year
Each year the Local Sports Council provides the sporting community with the opportunity to nominate their coach for VOLUNTEER COACH OF THE YEAR. This award is made to those Voluntary coaches who local sport relies upon to recognise their involvement during the year. Nominations should be made for coaches who have been committed to providing the highest standard of coaching to their performers, whether it be with individuals or teams. They should have made a significant impact in their sport, helped other coaches to develop and have a positive and encouraging role model attitude that has inspired and made an impact on others.
Volunteer coaches are a very important part of all sport with countless people giving up their time and experience to assist others. Basingstoke has a wealth of such people with five excellent nominations and all other coaches should all applauded for the contribution to local sport.
Volunteer Coach Previous Winners
2018 Rafer Joseph (Athletics), 2016 & 2017 Ian Cameron & Keone Crockwell (Swimming), 2015 Russell Amos (Rugby), 2014 Marcel Mavronicholas (Basketball), 2013 John Davis (Athletics), 2012 Colin King (Canoeing) 2011 Katherine White (Karate) 2010 Gerry Reilly (Taekwondo), 2009 Andy Compton (Bison U.14 Ice Hockey), 2008 Jonty Spaul (Overton RFC), 2007 Billy Jewers (Basingstoke & MH Athletics), 2006 Mike Tucker (Basingstoke & MH Athletics), No Award in 2003/4/5, 2002 Gary Millar (Overton RFC), 2001 Chris Berry (Basingstoke & MH Athletics), 2000 Anna Fearnley (Storm Netball) & 1999 Graham Watt (Bison Ice Hockey).
Nominees for the 2019 Award
Steve Forward – Football
Steve undertook his FA Level 1 and FA Level 2 course as well as his own Goalkeeper training course. He is very fair with rotating the subs and every child feels valued. A couple of players on the team are on the Autism spectrum and Steve has gone ‘above and beyond’ to understand their needs. He recommended a few of the team to Reading Academy and all are excelling in their football as a result. Since Steve took over the running of his team, they have improved massively, which has attracted the interest of other new players who have since joined his team. His team went on to win the Additional League U13’s Cup in his first year, which was a major achievement.
Marcel Mavronicholas – Basketball
Marcel manages the Basingstoke Blizzards from U12 level through to the two adult teams where he gives in excess of 20 hours per week to provide access to Basketball. Marcel is active in the regional and national committees for Basketball England and regularly attends league meetings which enables Basingstoke Blizzards to stay current and engaged with the National Governing Body. The junior membership of the club has increased significantly and Marcel continually delivers a professional training environment to juniors and seniors.
Coleen Riley – Taekwondo
Coleen continues to coach at national and international levels with both able-bodied and para athletes winning medals. Coleen’s coaching expertise has meant that not only existing members attend her session’s but she has also grown her sessions with new members from the local community, including some with disabilities who she ensured have felt welcomed into her sessions. She has also been able to focus her coaching attention to the club’s senior grades, working with them to successfully achieve their black belts and further develop them in becoming coaching assistants. Coleen has also taken on marketing aspects for the club.
Ben Shuck – Football
The children know they can approach Ben about anything. He is one of the few people who will go the extra mile to pick up and drop off players to matches/training when needed. He secured sponsorship for 2 teams as well as a donated ride-on lawnmower. He also donated a generator for the club to help run the tannoy on tournament day as well as to boil the kettle on those all- important freezing cold match-days! He was roped into helping coach the team 3 years ago but has taken it in his stride. He maintains the pitch and as the only van owner/driver in the club, is always the ‘kit / equipment man’.
Olivia Wade – Hockey
Olivia, at just 18, is a performance player, regional coach and club umpire. She is ‘total hockey’, working passionately to support the development of the sport on and off the field. Basingstoke Hockey Club takes significant pride in supporting Olivia in this award and acknowledging the invaluable service she gives to the club, and the wider sport as a whole
