Darlington Winners Strike Again
In the first ever time throughout the schemes history, The Grand Final took place in the main atrium at Darlington College. The night was blessed with everyone scooping an award for the dedication and contribution to sport, from being a volunteer and coaching to the best clubs in Darlington. The evening took place in front of a spectacular audience of 120 people, who all thoroughly enjoyed the evening and vibe they got from it. Another exception of the evening was the outstanding buffet that the college and Sherwood's had put on for the guests to took in to and enjoy.
The guests and nominees were honoured to be joined by, The Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington themselves, as well as Councillor Bryan Thistlewaite and his wife Gill Thistlewaite. To start the evening of the Principal Tim Grant made an opening speech and then a number of trophies were handed out and presented to mark the huge success of sport in Darlington. After the speech was given representatives from many different schemes and sponsors came forward to give their presentations.
Throughout the evening there were many prestigious awards that were given out. One award in particular that was awarded to a Darlington Winner was the Service to Sport Award 2010/2011 under 19 which were presented by Jean Lordon from Tees Valley Sport.
This award stems from all the dedicated volunteers in Darlington who give up their time to support their local community and clubs, in volunteering and coaching sessions to young people. The award is recognised for those who are a coach or assist 8-18 year old people in a sporting context, and who shows a serious dedication and commitment to those to help make a difference to the young people in sport.
The deserving winner was Hannah Marshall who was the overall winner due to significant interest that she has in coaching and volunteering to help to develop young footballers in the area. Hannah has been selected as one of the first ever National Ambassadors of British Colleges Sport an award that she received from the man himself Sir Trevor Booking.
As well as Hannah Marshall scooping an award there were many others following in her footsteps Philip Boyle was awarded the award of Service to Sport Award 2010/2011 over 19. This was through the sheer dedication that he had to his sport Badminton. Becoming involved 36 years giving up his own time to look after the school Badminton Teams, a well deserving and awarding person to have the recognition to receive this award.
In the following of both Hannah Marshall and Philip Boyle were many more awards that were given out on the evening such as the, Team Club Award Winner 2010/2011 under 13 was Hummerskoot School under 13 tennis team due to their amazing season and success in the Durham School Tennis Championships.
Another award winner was the Spaires Lads under14 football team who won the Team Club Arad 2010/2011 13-19 years, because of their amazing season in becoming divisional champions in the TJFA League.
The Special Achievement Award 2010/2011 was Charlotte Murray because of her true commitment to her sport of Thai Boxing. The SERCO Young Sports Achiever 2010/2011 under 13 was Ellis Corrie for his National and International success in his sport of Boxing.
The final two awards that were given out on the evening was the SERCO Young Sports Achiever 210/2011
13-19 years was Chloe Coates because of the incredible season she has had in swimming which includes the success of World College Champions and British Youth Championships.
The final award was The Mulheim Friendship Trophy 2009 was Charlie Graham for the incredible dedication he has shown to Football in Darlington, the countless hours that he has given to coaching and running the football team has made him a well deserving winner of the most prestigious award of the evening.
The evening ended on a high with a speech from the committee giving their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the continuing support that they receive for the Darlington Sports Winner's Scheme, there genuine thanks went to SERCO International Fire Training Centre, Master Skills Sporting Academy, Rotary International, Sherwoods, Darlington College, Nova International [Great Run], Tees Valley Sport and Darlington Borough Council.
Without the support from any of these businesses the scheme would simply not exist.
The evening ended with a quote from one of the committee members themselves Brian Dobson saying
'On behalf of the committee I would like to thank all our sponsors for their support towards the Darlington Sports Winners Scheme for the 2010/2011 season and am delighted that all sponsors committed their continuing support for the 2011/2012 season, without their support the scheme would simply fold overnight. I would also like to express thanks to all the people who take the time to nominate people for our awards. Finally the committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington for the support they have given to the scheme throughout their Mayoral year.'
