Service to Sport

Recognise those who serve local sport -

Do you have people within your league, club or sports organisation who work exceptionally hard to ensure the club and sport is successful each year? The service to sport award goes someway to recognise the achievements of those people involved in local sports clubs on a longstanding basis. These are people who have made an outstanding contribution to local sport, made significant impact to a club, local community, organisation or school and perhaps shown commitment to personal development and supporting the development of others. The various people behind the scenes at any league or sports club are those who make the sport run smoothly and are often forgotten. 

Previous winners of the Service to Sport Award -

2018 - Pete Dimond (Basketball), 2017 - Carol Chandler (Ice Hockey), 2016 - Miranda Smith (Hockey), 2015 - David Watton (Hockey), 2014 - Len Dunce (Judo), 2013 - Brian Donegan (Gymnastics), 2012 - Paul Temple (Gymnastics), 2011 - John Evans (Rugby), 2010 - Diane Cooper (Badminton), 2009 - Doug Hitchcock (Cycling), 2008 - Steve Tristram (Rugby), 2007 - Cyril Thompson (Cricket), 2006 - Ian Byett (Athletics), 2005 - Chris Evans (Sports Trust), 2004 - Gerald Merritt (Senior Football), 2003 - Trevor Shanks (Badminton), 2002 - Colin Dew (Swimming), 2001 - Anna Fearnley (Netball), 2000 - Reg Eade (Athletics), 1999 - John Ward (Senior Football), 1998 - Joan Cole (Tennis), 1997 - Sue & MIke Lambert (Swimming), 1996 - Peter Raynbird (Senior Football), 1995 - Villiams Krauklis (Athletics), 1994 - Geoff Goddard (Athletics)

Six excellent nominations were submitted for the 2019 award with many others in the Basingstoke sporting community are of course worthy of recognition by their clubs.

Chris Healey – Cycling

Chris was one of the founding members of Hatch Warren & Beggarwood Cycling Club, whose dream was to create a club that brought together the people in the community, and not just cyclists. The club was formed over 4 years ago and has grown every year with cyclists of all abilities and ages joining the club. Chris’ winning formula, with the help of the other founders, was to create a club that wasn’t about winning, but was all inclusive...it’s motto ‘Come Ride with us’ is evident of that formula… with the club being open to all, and with no one being left behind.  HWBCC are such an inclusive club, so welcoming, so open and inviting, all of this is driven by Chris and his enthusiasm flows through all members of the club. 

Angela Nicholls – Hockey

Angela is the first coach most young players and parents at Basingstoke Hockey Club will Inter-act with, and her enthusiastic and fun sessions ensure that those players come back and develop a life-long love of Hockey. She has been a club member since she started playing in 1998 and over the year’s she has supported the club in many ways, most significantly as Club Welfare Officer.  Angela was instrumental in supporting the set-up of the U6 training sessions where she started to split out the younger athletes and deliver more age appropriate training. The first children that benefited from those sessions are still involved in the sport and are now in the U12s and U14s teams, as well as being some of the club’s Junior Ambassadors.

Mike Nicholls – Hockey

Mike has been a club member since he started playing in 1986, and over the years he has supported the club in many ways. This has cumulated in him joining the hockey coaching family initially as an assistant coach supporting the delivery of training and mini festivals for the youngest members.  At the start of last season he took the role as lead coach developing the training and running Club Training days in the summer holidays. He was accepted as an assistant Coach for Hampshire Hockey Development Centres for the U14s, and at the end of that round he was asked to apply for the U16s Development Centres and the Academy Centres. The learning from this Mike has bought into his current roles as both the U8 Lead Coach and the Lead Coach for the Youth Section. Mike is always an Ambassador for the sport and the club.

Kay Kerley – Bowls

Kay has been an influential and inspiring figure throughout her career in bowls. She is both a committed player and volunteer since she started bowls in 1976. Within Hampshire, she has been a long serving member of the committee, and has held around six positions, including President, Secretary, County Team Manager and Vice-chair. As a player she represented Hampshire for 28 years meaning she is the 3rd highest capped player in Hampshire. Kay was also an international selector and England President.  She always supports players in competitions and will even offer to drive them if necessary. While at Nationals, Kay offered to be the county manager for the Hampshire teams to help with coaching and shot selection.  At club level, Kay gets involved with all aspects of the club, and helps with the coaching and mentoring of new bowlers when they join the club.

Spencer Kerley – Bowls

Spencer has been Involved with bowls for almost 50 years. Spencer is an outstanding administrator. At Oakley he has been the Secretary for 37 years as it has emerged as one of the most successful in the County. Additionally, he is the hugely respected and efficient Secretary of Bowls Hampshire, an organisation recognised by the NGB as its most progressive member.  Despite his heavy commitments, he makes himself available for club friendly matches, is the only member to have never missed a club tour and can always be seen at social events mixing with both new and older members. Under the auspices of the Club’s mentoring scheme Spencer is always willing to be a mentor for new members. Over the years he has actively encouraged many members, particularly nurturing the juniors.

Jackie Tobin – Athletics

Jackie is a dedicated and enthusiastic official, volunteer, committee member, mentor and supporter of all things athletics and has been a key member of the club’s committee for many years.  She is an important ambassador for the club and has been instrumental in securing funds.  Jackie has a pivotal role in the management of the club and is one of the club’s most experienced and well-qualified track officials and referees, respected at the highest levels within British Athletics. She has also recently helped in getting the views of the club known to the UKA regarding the establishment of the new National Athletics League, which will start in 2020