None Following an incredible year of athletics for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, UKA celebrated the Best of British at the 2009 UKA Awards Dinner on Saturday 5 December at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, Birmingham.
Guests included past and present athletes, club representatives, volunteers, coaches, UKA board members, sponsors, staff and national athletics media. They were welcomed with a Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne reception before the dinner and awards began.
During the event, guests were treated to a one-off performance by 2008 Olympic 400m hurdles Bronze medallist Tasha Danvers and GB&NI World Championship 800m finalist Marilyn Okoro, who were accompanied by World Championship 110m hurdler William Sharman on the piano.
UKA were honoured to recognise and reward the services of so many people who devote their time and energy to athletics in recognition of their efforts and passion which are essential to the sport.
With BBC sports presenter Rob Walker on the microphone and guest presenters, UKA Awards were presented to:
British Olympic Association athlete of the year: Phillips Idowu
Official of the year: Joy Alexander (Northern Ireland)
Official of the year: Joy Alexander
Joy Alexander is one of the most tireless officials in the country. As well as chairing the Athletics NI Track and Field Committee, she is present almost without fail at every meet in NI throughout the track and field season.Her roles at these events include level 5 field official at many events as Meeting Director –not only accomplishing her field duties but also dealing with numerous queries and problems in the most professional way.
On top of this, Joy is one of Northern Ireland’s most active Officials Education tutors, and always keeps up to date with developments in officiating through attendance at UKA conferences and also by officiating at UKA competitions. It is hard to comprehend the level of commitment, time and hard work that Joy brings to Athletics, and Athletics Northern Ireland whole-heartedly endorse her as a worthy recipient of the Official of the Year award.
Congratulations to Joy from all at Athletics NI!
