from Athletic Northern Ireland website Athletics Northern Ireland honoured the stars of athletics in a champagne reception at the Mary Peters Track on Thursday 20th November. Earlier in the day the CEOs from across the UK assembled for a meeting at the Athletics headquarters, including Geoff Wightman, Matt Newman and Mike Summers. NB: The Northern Ireland representatives that have been nominated to go forward to the UK A Awards are:
Ballymena & Antrim Club
Andrea Heslip
Gary Keenan
Joe Quinn
The awards, in association with UK Athletics and sponsored by Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne, recognise and reward Clubs, Volunteers, Officials, Coaches and Partnerships for their contribution to athletics throughout the preceding 12-month period. The awards were presented by UK Athletics Chairman Mr. Ed Warner.
Emma Doherty (North Belfast Harriers) received recognition as the only NI Record breaker this year. Emma has catapulted onto the walking stage breaking the 3K Walk record on 5th July at the All-Ireland Juvenile championships in a time of 15.20. She has also broken the 5K Walk record this year at the AAA Championships in August finishing in a time of 26.23.72 to take the Gold medal.
Ballymena and Antrim AC is very much a club run by the members and is a club that dares to be different and are the recipients of the Junior Club of the Year. Across the age group championships Ballymena and Antrim has won 200 medals at Ulster and Irish level and has a host of athletes bettering the regional standard at various ages. Ballymena & Antrim has over 223 10-18 yr olds and there are over thirty coaches involved in the club. It was announced today that B&A have been nominated as the Club of the Year in the UK along with clubs from England, Scotland and Wales.
Award winners on the night included North Down AC who were awarded the ‘Track & Field Club Award’. The club represented Ireland at the European Clubs Cup in May where they had some outstanding performances including three club records. Off-Track Club of the year went to Lagan Valley AC– their record of participation, performance and promotion during the 07-08 season at both individual and team level is probably the best in the 20 year history of the club.
Eamonn Christie (Beechmount Harriers) can be found at the Mary Peters Track most days of the week. He has coached a number of athletes to a high standard including young athletic star Ciara Mageean who has an outstanding year winning the Irish Senior Indoors 1500m title at 15, reaching the final of the World Juniors and also clinching a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games to name a few. Eamonn dedicates a lot of time and effort into coaching young athletes with a number of success stories to his name including recent cross country medals from Joanne Mills and Susan Smith. He was awarded ‘Performance Coach of the Year’.
Podium Coaches of the Year was a clear choice- Stephen Maguire and Paddy McKillop, the coaches of Beijing Paralympic medallists Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop who brought home three gold medals and three world records- outstanding achievements for the young men and a tribute to their coaches.
Volunteers and officials are an integral part of the sport of athletics and without them events could not take place. Tribute was made to those who work behind the scenes.
Gary Keenan is one of the mainstay members of Albertville Harriers and been involved for many years as an athlete, club coach and now as an official. A few years ago he volunteered to train as a starter and has already firmly established himself as one of the leading in this field in NI. This duty he carries out with precision, but in a pleasant and courteous manner and is known for keeping meetings on time.
Others recognised included John Saulters (New Official of the Year) and Derek Cowan (Off Track Official of the Year) who have both been long serving officials at most events in NI.
Andrea Heslip has been coaching for the past few years with Dromore AC. Her work in the local schools has been a major factor in recruiting athletes to the club and therefore was a clear candidate for Club Volunteer of the Year. Tina Sterling (North Down AC) was acknowledged for her hard work and dedication to all facets of North Down AC and honoured with the Young Volunteer Award.
Participation Coach of the Year is Joe Quinn. He is the lead coach for the junior section of East Down and is responsible for continuing to attract new athletes to the clubs. His road racing series is an excellent means to attracting athletes and his work in getting athletes involved, not just at junior level, but at all levels is exceptional.
John Allen, Athletics NI Honorary Secretary commented on the event:
“We are delighted that through the generosity of Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne, we are able to recognise our leading volunteers once again. Volunteers are the backbone of our sport giving countless hours of service and these awards are a small token of our appreciation to some of the many who give so much time freely”.
The 2008 athletic year has proved to be an exciting and successful one for clubs and local athletes, especially with so many recent success stories.
Notes to Editors:
The awards were decided by clubs/ volunteers submitting a nomination form.
•Club – with three awards for (a) Track and Field, (b) Off Track, (c) Junior
•Volunteer – with two awards for (a) Young Volunteer; (b) Club Volunteer
•Official – with three awards for (a) Newcomer to Officiating; (b) Off Track Official; (c)Track and Field Official
•Coaches – with three awards for (a) Participation; (b) Performance; (c) Podium;
The UK Athletics Awards Dinner will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum on Saturday 29 November 2008.
[Pictured: Gary Keenan receiving his award from Ed Warner]